I think of defying the odds in Doha: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Doha
'I think tomorrow is going to be special,' said multiple Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) ahead of Friday's Jetour Doha Meeting.
The global track icon, who was speaking to media in the pre-event press conference on Thursday, spoke fondly of her memories of the World Athletics Championships in Doha 2019 and how, almost six years later, she still wants to run fast (and win).
'This is the best year I've had in training for the last three years, so I'm looking forward to seeing the execution and putting the race together,' she said.
Fraser-Pryce is one of the most decorated athletes of all time. She became the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic women's 100m title at the Beijing Games in 2008 and successfully defended her title in London 2012. She has won a record five global 100m titles to date, including at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha (where she also won 4x100m relay gold), and was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year at the prestigious 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Third-fastest of all-time over 100m with a best of 10.60s (Lausanne, 2021), she last competed at the Diamond League meeting in Doha in 2021 where she took victory in the 100m in 10.84s (+1.1m/s).
'I'm really excited to be here,' she said. '2019 (World Championships) was really special for me and I have great memories. I like to think of defying the odds in Doha. I was coming back after having my son (Zyon) in 2017 and being able to cross that line and have that moment in Doha with my son on the track – and after turning 30 – was really special.'
In spite of a hectic life which involves taking seven-year-old Zyon to football training and tournaments, Fraser-Pryce remains grateful for the support she has from her husband and team.
The difference in her own training, she says, has been a commitment to rest and recovery. The 38-year-old announced in January that this would be her final year of competition, but with the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo not taking place until September, she has the time to make decisions without being under pressure.
'You want to train hard but also smart,' she told the media. 'It's having the time to train but also knowing you can take a step back before you go again.
'I'm an older athlete so I have to make sure I'm pacing myself the best I can. I think it works for some of us (to have the World Championships) in September. It's given me time and it's given me an opportunity to get back to the drawing board and regroup mentally and physically.'
Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.94s (+3.1m/s) in her 2025 season-opener in Kingston (19 April) before competing for Jamaica at the World Athletics Relays in China last weekend (10/11 May).
Doha is a welcome opportunity to race again. 'It's good to have that competitive drive. I've raced sparingly the last two years so I really want to get that race sharpness back and to see where I'm at.'
The Jetour Doha Meeting is the third meeting of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League. The series – which started in Xiamen on 26 April – comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field across four different continents and concludes with a single final across two days in Zurich (27-28 August).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
12 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Maertens makes golden start at swimming worlds
DPA Singapore Germany's Lukas Maertens added a world title to his 2024 Olympic gold when he triumphed in the 400-metres freestyle in Singapore on Sunday. It was the 23-year-old's first world championship gold. He touched the wall in 3 minutes 42.35 seconds, securing victory ahead of second-placed Samuel Short from Australia. Bronze went to South Korea's Kim Woo Min. 'I am very proud, very happy. It was not a given that I would pull this off. Sam Short is also in excellent form,' Maertens told reporters. 'This was the one title I was still missing. Now I have it. A lot of pressure has been lifted.' The swimming events in the pool at the World Aquatics Championships began on Sunday and run until next Sunday. Germany previously found success in the open water swimming events in Singapore, with Florian Wellbrock sealing three individual golds and helping Germany to mixed relay success. Maertens' impressive form this year was already evident in April when he broke Paul Biedermann's 16-year-old world record in the 400m freestyle with 3:39.96. He had previously only managed bronze and silver in the 400m at world championships. Maertens is also considered a top contender for gold in the 800m freestyle despite health problems in the run-up to Singapore. In the women's 400m freestyle, Canadian Summer McIntosh reigned supreme, putting China's Li Bingjie and US great Katie Ledecky in her wake. A time of 3:56.26 brought her a fifth world championship gold but first in this event, where she took silver at last year's Paris Olympics. In the 4x100m freestyle relays, Australia were unbeatable. The men set a world championship record of 3:08.97 with Flynn Southam, Kai James Taylor, Maximillian Guiliani and Kyle Chambers leaving Italy to settle for second and the US third. The Australian quartet of Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Olivia Wunsch also won women's gold. The US took silver and the Netherlands bronze. There were reports of sickness in some camps earlier this week including the US team. Monday's highlights include men's 100m breaststroke, women's 100m butterfly, men's 50m fly and women's 200m medley.
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's bid to host 2036 Olympics a strategic leap toward global sporting leadership: Experts
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha In a historic and unprecedented move for the Arab world, Qatar has officially submitted its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This makes Qatar the first Arab and Middle Eastern nation to seek the honour of organising the world's largest sporting event. The announcement follows recent discussions between the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and stands as a powerful testament to Qatar's confidence in its organisational capabilities and its extensive experience in hosting major global sports events. This bold step is seen as a natural extension of Qatar's longstanding sports legacy, which culminated in the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022—widely praised for its innovation, infrastructure, and fan experience. Qatar has also hosted other landmark competitions such as the World Athletics Championships and the FINA World Swimming Championships, steadily reinforcing its status as a premier global sporting destination. The momentum behind Qatar's Olympic bid is further amplified by the candidacy of President of the Qatar Olympic Committee His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani for the presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia, declared on July 16. This strategic move reflects Qatar's commitment to broadening its influence in the regional and international sports arena and playing a pivotal role in advancing unity and excellence in Asian sports. To explore the deeper significance of this historic Olympic bid, Qatar Tribune sought exclusive commentary from regional and international experts, including Qatari sports analyst Suleiman Al Marri, Iraqi sports commentator Laith Al Qaisi, and Canada-based sports writer Dr. Anas Ziad. Their insights shed light on the strategic, social, and geopolitical dimensions of Qatar's bold move. Qatar is ready, technically and philosophically: Suleiman Al Marri Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Qatari sports photographer Suleiman Al Marri emphasised that the Olympic bid reflects far more than symbolic ambition. 'Qatar's bid to host the 2036 Olympics is not a ceremonial gesture. It's a statement of readiness—not just in terms of infrastructure, but in terms of a comprehensive national vision that places sports at the heart of human and social development,' he said. Al Marri pointed to Qatar's proven ability to manage complex global events, citing the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a benchmark. He said, 'Qatar introduced new standards in organisation, innovation, and technological integration. From stadiums to transportation and logistics, every element was delivered at a world-class level. The Olympic bid is the next step in that evolution, one defined by leadership and ambition.' Addressing the level of national support, Al Marri highlighted the alignment between public enthusiasm and governmental strategy, saying: 'Qatar doesn't view sports as merely a source of medals and flags. Sports are a strategic tool for enhancing public health, strengthening social cohesion, and unlocking economic, touristic, and investment opportunities. This aligns perfectly with the Qatar National Vision 2030.' He underscored the importance of international alliances. 'The Qatar Olympic Committee has built strong global relationships. Qatar's sports diplomacy is a model in itself. I'm confident the IOC will recognise this bid as a holistic and human-centred proposal for the Olympics of the future.' Laith Al Qaisi: This is a defining moment, led by a visionary sports leadership For Iraqi sports analyst Laith Al Qaisi, the timing of Qatar's Olympic bid is tactically brilliant. He said, 'This is a perfect moment. Qatar is riding a wave of athletic momentum, and there is a growing global awareness that non-traditional hosts can deliver spectacular global events. Doha has evolved into not just a sports capital of the region, but a global hub for sporting and cultural dialogue.' Al Qaisi sees a strategic synergy between Qatar's Olympic bid and the candidacy of Sheikh Joaan for the Asian Olympic Council. 'His Excellency Sheikh Joaan is not just a senior official—he is one of the most influential architects of Qatar's sports development. His leadership of the QOC has been transformative, and his consensual style makes him a natural candidate. Should he be elected, Qatar's regional influence in sports will be significantly strengthened,' he opined. What sets the Qatari model apart, he argues, is its dual focus on infrastructure and human capital, saying: 'Qatar has quietly built a professional sporting ecosystem. From Aspire Academy to the world-renowned Aspetar hospital, and through strategic partnerships with international federations, Qatar has created an administrative and developmental model worth showcasing.' Al Qaisi emphasised the regional implications of the bid. 'This is not just about Qatar—it's a bid on behalf of the Arab world. Hosting the Olympics would present the region as a place of innovation, peace, and global cooperation through sport,' he added. Qatar's bid challenges Western centralism: Dr. Anas Ziad From a geopolitical perspective, Dr. Anas Ziad, a sports writer for Canada Press, views Qatar's bid as a moment of global transformation. He said, 'This is a turning point in Olympic history. Qatar's candidacy isn't just about entering the race—it's about redrawing the Olympic map. Historically, Olympic hosts have been concentrated in the traditional West or select East Asian powers. Qatar is now challenging that pattern.' Dr. Ziad noted that Qatar's bid aligns with broader shifts in the global sporting ecosystem, stressing: 'The IOC today is actively seeking sustainable and impactful models for Olympic hosting. Qatar has demonstrated that it can deliver not only excellence in organisation but also lasting legacies of every event it hosts.' He highlighted the 2022 World Cup as a game-changing reference point, saying: 'The success of the World Cup proved Qatar's ability to shape global narratives—culturally, politically, and logistically. That legacy strengthens the credibility of the Olympic bid.' While acknowledging that competition for the 2036 Games will be fierce, Ziad emphasised Qatar's greatest asset: credibility. 'Qatar's strength lies in its consistent delivery and integrity. If the bid is successful, and I believe its chances are strong, it will mark a historical shift in how we define Olympic identity, linking sport with global peace, inclusion, and equitable development. Qatar has a rare opportunity to lead that transformation—and it seems poised to do so.' A Global Opportunity Rooted in National Vision Qatar's 2036 Olympic bid is more than an aspiration—it's a strategic milestone that encapsulates the country's evolution as a sports, cultural, and diplomatic powerhouse. It reflects Qatar's belief in the unifying power of sport and its ability to serve as a platform for intercultural dialogue, sustainable development, and international cooperation. As the world prepares to evaluate competing bids, Qatar's proposal stands out for its depth, maturity, and clarity of vision. With a legacy of successful mega events and world-class infrastructure, Qatar is not just bidding to host an Olympic Games, it is offering the world a new model for what global sport can mean in the 21st century.
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's Abakar and Hemeida star at ISTAF indoor meeting in Berlin
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar's athletes delivered a remarkable performance in the men's 400m hurdles event at the prestigious ISTAF 2025 meet in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday securing two podium spots. Ismail Doudai Abakar surged to victory, crossing the finish line with a season-best time of 48.04 seconds while Bassem Hemeida captured the bronze medal, setting a new personal best of 48.38 seconds to book his place at the upcoming World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. Germany's Emil Agyekum secured the silver medal by equalling his personal best with a time of 48.21 seconds. Abakar and Hemeida were both within the qualifying standard for the Worlds - 48.50 secs. Abakar had previously qualified for the World Championships after clocking a time of 48.49 seconds at the Meeting International de Marseille two weeks back. Apart from the one-lap hurdlers, Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim will also represent Qatar at the Tokyo Worlds, after he qualified for the 400m as the reigning Asian Champion. Qatar's men's 4x400m relay team - Abderrahman Samba, Hemeida, Ashraf Hussen Osman and Ibrahim - will also be in action at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, following their qualification with a national record time of 3:00.29 at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou in March.
