A closer look at Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Nominee Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

March 3, 2013

Thanks to her explosive starts and diminutive height, she is known as ‘The Pocket Rocket’. And at the London 2012 Games, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce more than lived up to her nickname.

The runner burst onto the international athletics scene four years before on winning the 100m Olympic gold at the Beijing Games. She continued this stellar form at the 2009’s world championships where she won a further gold in the event as well.

Going into the London Games, Fraser-Pryce had become the face of Jamaica’s women’s sprint team. And her success in the Olympic Stadium made sure this stayed the same.

She won her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the marquee 100 metres event, along with silver in the 200m and 4x100m.

There really was no doubt she was the world’s fastest women.

Fraser-Pryce is now one of six Nominees for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. But up against the woman who beat her to first place in the Olympic 200m final, Allyson Felix, along with Jessica Ennis, Lindsey Vonn, Serena Williams and Missy Franklin, has the Jamaican done enough to win on March 11.

Laureus Academy Member Michael Johnson is certainly confident she has a good shot.

Johnson said: “The 100 metres at the Olympics is the one that really captures people’s imagination. And by winning her successive 100m gold in London, Fraser-Pryce can really consider herself one half of the world’s sprint royalty alongside compatriot Usain Bolt.  What’s more, she was only bettered in the 200m by fellow Nominee Allyson Felix, so she clearly has that unique ability to master both sprint events. She and Felix will be hitting 30 by the next Olympics, but I really hope to see this rivalry in full health come Rio 2016.”

Do you think ‘The Pocket Rocket’ was the greatest sportswoman of 2012?

Have your say in the comments below!