SHELLY, THE TRUE STAR OF MOSCOW
It is not easy to outshine Usain Bolt, the greatest sprinter that has ever lived, especially not after the most recent staging 14 IAAF World Athletic Championships held in Moscow where Bolt won an unprecedented third consecutive 200-metre tile, his second world championship triple, and including the Olympics, his fourth triple overall at major championships.
But I daresay, notwithstanding Bolt’s outstanding performances, it was another Jamaican who shone brightest in Moscow. Bolt won the 100m in, by his standards, a pedestrian but world leading 9.77-seconds; the 200m, again by his standards, a pedestrian but world leading 19.66; and he anchored the sprint relay squad to an inevitable third consecutive world championship title 37.36s. Like his two individual efforts, the time in the relay was a world-leading time. The performances may been world-leading but were not “Bolt-esque.”
When compared to his previous world championship performances 9.58, 19.19, and 37.10 in 2009, 19.40 and 37.04 in 2011, the 2013 performances were nowhere near Bolt’s usual extremely high standards and Bolt, unfortunately, is judged by his own standards since it is he, since 2008, when he exploded at the Olympic Games in Beijing, who set those standards.
It is why I was more impressed by the performances of Shelly Ann Frazer-Pryce in Moscow. In terms of physical appearance Frazer-Pryce and Bolt are complete opposites. Bolt is a giant of a man at 6′ 5 inches, well-muscled and with extremely long limbs. The pocket rocket, is a tiny 5′ 1 inch, curvy little bundle of energy, with tiny limbs in comparison to Bolt’s. But when it comes to speed, the little lady from Waterhouse is as dominant as her more celebrated countryman.
In Moscow SAFP became the first Jamaican and Caribbean woman to win three gold medals at the same championships. Only Germany’s Silke Gladisch and Katrin Krabbe in 1983 and 1991 respectively, had won the sprint double before. Alyson Felix won the 200m in 2009, and also won gold in the sprint and mile relays.
Frazer-Pryce dominated a quality 10o-metre field that included Carmelita Jeter, Murielle Ahoure, Kerron Stewart, Octavious Freeman, English Gardener, and the dangerous Blessing Okagbare. Every single woman in the field had broken 11-seconds more than once this season but that didn’t seem to matter to SAFP, as she blitzed the field in a world leading 10.71 seconds. Her winning margin of 0.22 seconds was the biggest ever at a world championship women’s sprint final.
She returned to destroy another quality field in the women’s 200m in another world leading time, and in doing so ran three-time champion Alyson Felix, perhaps the favourite to win the event, literally into the ground. Felix, forced to press like she never had before crumbled to the floor, felled by a hamstring tear most likely caused by her attempts to match pace with the scorching speed of the Jamaican.
But SAFP was only getting started. She anchored the Jamaican sprint relay team to a new national record and second fastest time of all time running an anchor leg that was so fast she looked she was barely touching the track. Her legs were moving at almost cartoon-like speed, a virtual blur as she blitzed the leg in an estimated 9.8 seconds. The margin between first and second was more than 1.5-seconds; an incredible performance!
In addition to the outstanding performances, SAFP also opened up a little more to the media. Previously she was known to offer a polite smile and said very little. This time however, she opened up a little more revealing how sweet she could be. After her 100m triumph, she reached out to Jamaican teammate Sherone Simpson who missed the championship because of a positive drug test, offering her words of encouragement that moved many to tears. Similarly, after the 200m, she offered words of support and consolation to her fallen rival Felix.
She also removed her spikes and danced, and giggled and won the hearts of a whole new set of fans. With her pink hair, pink nails and really ‘hot’ pink running spikes, there was a newness about SAFP in Moscow, a very refreshing improvement that I am sure will attract a new wave of fans and a hopefully interest from global sponsors who see in her, all that is right with the sport and all that is right with mankind. SAFP is the living embodiment of the example that through hard work and discipline, one can rise from the most desperate of circumstances to becoming the very best in the world. And, that it can be done with a smile and a giggle and shocking pink hair.
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25 Responses to “SHELLY, THE TRUE STAR OF MOSCOW”
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I agree, Shelly-Ann is a sweetheart and she’s so humble. I have to add someone else that really did shine – Javon Francis.
Niecey,I am with you on that. My hats off to Javon Francis that run was Stella.
Agree, Shelly was on fire at champs. Also, one can sense the genuine closeness among the girls on the 100m relay team, almost like family. No aloofness like once before.
Shelly was undoubtedly Jamaicas’s and the World’s most successful athlete at the Worlds. With such glowing resume, hopefully she will command more lucrative appearance fees at Diamond and Non Diamond Leauge meets. I agree with Lannate, the relay team exhibited a cohesiveness unlike previous relay teams. Which could explain the Championship record considering that on paper, the London relay team was much speedier.
Shelly Ann,is truly a darling. She inspires hope and embodies humility. I pray for her continued success, not just on the track but in the other spheres of her life.
That girl , that girl Shelly-Ann!!!Need I say more.
Well written as usual Mister Man and a nice tribute to Shelly Belly. She really repped herself, her coach, her team, her club, her family, her area, her country, track and field…good job ma’am.
Her incredible performance makes her 2013 female athlete of the year!! Shelly did a marvelous job, running her 2nd fastest time in history and the 5th fastest time all time. Not only that but she anchored the Jamaican sprint relay team to a new national record and the 2nd fastest time in history!!! Shelly must gain the respect she deserves this year!!! TEAM JA loves you <3 <3
Shellyann, Shellyann, I am so happy for you, You have proven over and over that you are a true champion, and goes for what you want, and don’t allow no one stopped you. I pray that you continue to stay positive and strong, and never stopped smiling.
Shellyann is a true champion, she always shines when there is a championship going on. i love her smile and her attitude. she does make us really proud. Congratulation to all the other athletes, expecially the 16 or so young ones, They did their best. I am expecting them to do well in future games. Javon Francis The star of the Jamaican team.
Somehow there is something to be said for an 18 year old, on his first appearance for Jamaica to do what Javon Francis did in that blistering relay run, that I am on the fence when it comes to being declared star of Moscow. I can only conclude that our team is increasing its depth and I am calling a 3-way tie
Could Carrie Russell be the next Shelly??? Love to read Mr. Levy’s invaluable views on that!!!
SAFP was outstanding perhaps even more so given her diminutive stature relative to her competitors. It would be interesting to know if there is anyone in the history of women’s (even men’s) track with a faster turnover of leg speed!
However, if she wants major sponsors to embrace her, I would suggest she drop the pink hairpiece (which may be advantageous for her hairpiece business, but not for major sponsors)
Bolt is the main event, and it will remain that way until he retires. That is all.
I agree totally with the article. Not taking anything away from Bolt but he play second fiddle to Shelly Ann this time around. I also think its high time that she start reaping the financial benefit of her success. She should think seriously about changing her agent and get someone in her corner that has the connections and drive to secure the best deals for her similar to the likes of Bolt and Blake. It breaks my heart to know that except for the hard core track and field fans a lot of folks outside the shores of Jamaica do not know who Shelly Ann Fraser is, on the other hand mention Usain Bolt to anyone anywhere in the world and he is immediately recognized.
My sister Shelly Ann bite the bullet and get rid of your agent who is a sleep at the wheel.
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that SAFP is, in her own right, a mega star. Therefore this need to talk about her literally upstaging Usan Bolt; is at best ridiculous. Why the comparison?? And, to talk about the competition she faced, when everyone who follows T&F knew that her main rivals, Jeter in the 100M, and Felix in the 200M had fitness issues. Not that it would have made any difference in my mind had they been fully fit. Additionally, this attempt to compare the line-ups in the men’s and women’s sprinting events is simply impractical, for obvious reasons. Finally, take away Bolt from Moscow, and even with the exploits of SAFP, the World Championships would have fizzed out like a soft drink gone flat!
Shelly is my favorite athlete in the world. Not just track, I favor her over every other sport figure on earth. Never thought any one with such talent could be so humble and down to earth. I wish her health and a lot of wealth.
I agree with the analogy. Shelly was not just exceptional she was phenomenal. Her dedication and performance is an example to all athlete and I would encourage our young athlete to emulate her. In the same breath I must give a big shout out to Novlene Williams-Mills for her outstanding performance and although she did not medal at this meeting her story is a true inspiration to all.
Overall, however, Usain Bolt was the face of the games so even though SAFP was great Usain was everything to that meet.
I’m in shock! ‘Bout time the women take a front seat….overdue!
Not withstanding anything the men have done but
(You!) newsreporters used to write a oneliner about the women’s win and full a page for the men.
Very proud of all our athletes! Sorry can’t get to watch more.
I think SAFP definitely the star of the World Championships in Moscow.Yes Bolt got the same three titles but SAFP won her events more convincingly generally speaking.
What’s more is that in the World Championships in Moscow SAFP moved from being a sprint star to a superstar. It could be argued that SAFP probably is the greatest female 100m sprinter of all time. Also now after playing second fiddle to VCB and Ottey she is now on par with these ladies.
SAFP now has more world senior titles than any other Jamaican woman(Olympic and World Championship titles).SAFP -7,VCB-5,Ottey-3,Walker-2,Hemmings-1,Foster-Hylton-1 and Trecia Smith-1.
So SAFP has one statistic to back up any claim as being the best Jamaican female athlete in athletics.Of course she lacks any kind of youth and Junior titles and also never really competed too seriously indoors.She also trails VCB in the Olympic titles which is the hugest Championship for T&F athletes. Never the less no more can it be said as I heard so many times that she is not in the same league as VCB and Ottey.
In terms of who is Jamaica’s greatest female athlete I know it’s a subjective matter but I think it has to be between VCB and SAFP. Merlene Ottey is a great and enduring competitor with great longevity. That being said Merlene is more of great competitor and much less of a Champion. For over 20yrs she competed and was always in the mix for titles which is great.She though really lacked the ability that SAFP and VCB had to perform when it really mattered and bring home titles which was a major flaw in her character. SAFP and VCB just bought out confidence in their supporters that they would take titles and control, whilst Ottey just promised to be competitive and medal.
Defender-I don’t think that there was really any attempt to put SAFP against Bolt. I think the guy writing the article just wanted to make an assessment of the overall best performance in the world Championships in Moscow.I must say that he did a really good job to.Although SAFP and Bolt accomplished the same things SAFP was just more dominant in achieving hers. Where time is the measure of dominance she won her races overall with more superior times as compared to the rest of her rivals than Bolt.
As u rightfully said though Bolt was the main attraction because of his history and reputation. Without Bolt the Games would be a shadow of what it was. So it can be said that Bolt was the main attraction of the games and SAFP was the best performer.
shelly ann is a true champion but usain bolt is usain bolt thre is no reason to compare shelly ann with usain they both have very good talent but usain has been consistent for a long time and that makes a lot of difference so no disrespect to shellycause she is now jamaican sprint queen but we must not for get the others before or the ones thats lining up I pray our 4x400m relay team will continue thre journey with much more success and all our other athletes who has done us proud
I really love and admire Shelley. Wishing much more accolades and successes for her in the future.