'They've changed the rules' - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reflects on controversy at the Paris Olympics

'They've changed the rules' - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reflects on controversy at the Paris Olympics

Evans Ousuru 09:35 - 02.02.2025

Two-time Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce revealed her frustrations at the Paris Olympic Games.

Multiple Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could not wait for 2024 to get behind her back.

The two-time Olympic 100m champion was looking to reclaim her title and make it three after missing out on gold in the past two editions of the quadrennial show.

While the Jamaican knew the tough task that awaited her in the semifinals and potentially the finals at the Paris Olympic Games, her withdrawal raised more questions, especially coming after an argument with officials.

The 37-year-old was seen arguing with officials after being blocked from entering a warm-up track because she had arrived late.

Fraser-Pryce, participating at her fifth Games, told the Independent, “they've changed the rules, we always come through this gate”.

No immediate reason was revealed for the Jamaican’s absence when it was announced on the scoreboard at the Stade de France moments before the semi-final battle with Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred.

However, news of Shelly-Ann's injury was revealed later although it was argued that her confrontation with the officials before being allowed to access the warm-up track led the speedster to give the semifinals a wide berth. “It is difficult for me to find the words to describe the depth of my disappointment,” she said afterwards.

A dominant force in women's sprinting, Fraser-Pryce has won more individual global sprint titles than any other female sprinter in history, and is the most decorated 100m sprinter of all time.