For the third time in a global championship, Jamaica has swept the women's 100m final; twice at the Olympics and once at the World Championships. On all three occasions, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has been a staple while Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson have been involved in two such sweeps. Indeed, the 2020 Tokyo podium mirrors the 2022 Oregon podium, albeit in a completely different order. Fraser-Pryce has won the sweep twice, and Thompson-Herah has won the sweep on one occasion.
Fraser-Pryce impressive resume
What can I say? Fraser-Pryce has immortalized herself at the World Championships, winning an unprecedented five 100m titles, making her the most successful 100m female sprinter in history. And to think that she has won her fifth 100m World title in a Championship Record of 10.67 at the mature age of thirty-five when most athletes are in their decline or have retired, underscores Fraser-Pryce as truly a phenomenal and enduring athlete.
Certainly, there are legitimate arguments for Fraser-Pryce to be labeled the GOAT of the 100m (not sprinting). Afterall, she has seven global titles across the Olympics and the World Championships, a feat that cannot be matched by any 100m sprinter, male or female. There is the definite temptation to crown Fraser-Pryce the GOAT for the 100m. But is Fraser-Pryce really the GOAT 100m female sprinter ever? What does the Greatest of All Times really mean? Is it an objective or subjective terminology?
Fraser-Pryce is a championship performer
And while I am not attempting here to make light of Fraser-Pryce's unparallel achievements in the 100m, it's going to be a bit tricky for me, to crown Fraser-Pryce as the GOAT of the 100m. The reason is she isn't the outright most dominant at the Olympic Games and she does not have the World Record or Jamaican National Record; she is currently ranked third fastest on the 100m all-time list.
Personally, I cannot crown Fraser-Pryce the GOAT of sprinting for the 100m given her record in these crucial areas of performance assessment. However, Fraser-Pryce is the most successful female 100m athlete in history. That; we cannot deny!
It is instructive that Thompson-Herah is the holder of the Olympic Record in the 100m at 10.61 while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the holder of the World Championship Record in the 100m at 10.67. Perhaps if Fraser-Pryce can surpass Thompson-Herah 10.54 National record, then this will strengthened her claim as the GOAT 100m female sprinter.
Henley Taylor
Freelance Sportswriter
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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