"Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce emphasized what it meant to be a very fast female in 100m & 200m"-Michaela Blyde on the Jamaican for being pioneer for change

Rugby player and Paris Olympic gold medalist Michael Blyde lauded Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for revolutionizing women's sports and claimed that the Jamaican's athletic prowess compelled her to dream about winning Olympic gold medals in the 100m and 200m events. The New Zealand professional rugby seven players defended her Tokyo Olympic gold in Paris alongside her team.

Michaela Blyde, the first player to win back-to-back World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year titles, secured victory over Canada (19-12) in the rugby finals of the 2024 Paris Games.

The Kiwi Rugby sevens player also holds a lot of admiration for the Jamaican sprinting icon, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whom she met at the Paris Olympics. A TikTok video posted on Blyde's account on July 27 contained a montage of the New Zealander expressing her delight at finding out that Fraser Pryce followed her on social media, to eventually meeting the Jamaican sprinter at the French Capital.

"Na stop. I just met my idol. The QUEEN of sprinting in bare feet, a stained shirt and oversized pants. My family would be so proud," Blyde's TikTok caption read.

Shortly after, talking to Dom Harvey via his YouTube channel, Michaela Blyde opened up about her Olympics campaign and also gave her take on Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's inspirational role in her life, as well as the impact Fraser Pryce had in the women's 100m and 200m events.

"Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is actually the reason why I wanted to win gold in the 100m and 200m at the Olympic Games as my initial Olympic dream. When I tell you what it's like to meet an idol, it's so hard to explain because for so long I've watched you compete on TV because it's always about the fastest man on the planet but it's never about the fastest woman."

She added:

"And she just really emphasized what it meant to be a very fast female in both the 100m and 200m," Blyde added (via Dom Harvey on Youtube) [35:06]

Blyde contributed significantly and scored a try (five points), the second-highest in the score standings to help the New Zealand Rugby seven team clinch gold at the 2024 Games.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the Paris Olympics due to an injury

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew ahead of the 100m semifinals due to an injury when 'DNS' flashed on the scoreboard beside her name. Later on, Fraser Pryce penned a note on Instagram, expressing disappointment over her abrupt withdrawal from the 2024 Games but appreciated fans' unending support.

"It is difficult for me to find the words to describe the depth of my disappointment..I am truly Blessed to have had the steadfast support of my fans since my Olympic debut in 2008."

In an exclusive with Essence in January this year, she announced her retirement after the Games, expressing her desire to spend more time with her family.

“My son needs me. My husband and I have been together since before I won in 2008. He has sacrificed for me. We’re a partnership, a team. And it’s because of that support that I’m able to do the things that I have been doing for all these years. And I think I now owe it to them to do something else," she said.

Fraser-Pryce capped off her career with 11 Olympic and 17 World Indoor and Outdoor Championship medals, among other major wins.