Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce parts ways with coach Reynaldo Walcott following rift over Paris Olympics disappointment: Reports

Sprinting icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has reportedly decided to part ways with coach Reynaldo Walcott following a disappointing 2024 season that was largely marred by injuries. The two-time 100m Olympic champion withdrew from the semifinals at the Paris Olympics, which she called her last Olympic appearance.

Fraser-Pryce opened her 2024 season very late in June, running a decent 11.15s at the JAAA Olympic French Foray 3. She looked in good touch and carried the momentum to the Olympic Trials where she clocked an impressive 10.91s to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Before the start of the Games, the 2022 World Champion was scheduled to run at the Luzern Athletics Meet in July. However, she pulled out of the meet at the last moment after feeling something in her leg during the warmups. She nonetheless showed up in Paris but only for the preliminary round, running 10.92s.

Moments before the semifinals kicked off on August 3, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulled out from the event and later withdrew from the entire Olympics. Nearly two months after her withdrawal, SportsMax has reported that the Olympic champion has parted ways with coach Reynaldo Walcott. She had partnered with Elite Performance Track Club with Walcott in 2020. The sprinter is now reportedly assembling a new team for the 2025 season.

The report cited a rift in the coach-athlete relationship, which largely stems from subpar seasons in the last two years, more so in 2024. The 37-year-old achieved remarkable success under Walcott from 2020-2022, lowering her personal best to 10.60s and winning the world title in 2022. However, injuries have taken a toll on the Jamaican icon since then.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could be competing at the 2025 World Championships

The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in action (Source: Getty)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce had announced earlier this year that the 2024 Olympics would mark her last appearance at the quadrennial games. However, she didn't specify it as the end of her career.

While the 37-year-old has remained silent about her future despite being asked by reporters, her move to change coaches could be a good sign that she isn't done yet. SportsMax reported that the Jamaican was setting up a new team to prepare for the 2025 season, and one of the names expected to be part of her coaching staff is Andre Wellington.

If Fraser-Pryce does manage to regain full fitness under the new team, the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo could be a perfect way for the Jamaican to end her career on a high.