Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce believes mental preparation will still be the most important aspect of her build-up for the Rio Games, despite struggling to shake off the effects of an early season
Jamaican sprint sensation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
toe injury.
The Jamaican will be looking to create history as the first woman to win three 100m gold medals at the Olympic Games this summer, but hardly impressed on season debut at the Prefontaine meet in the United States over the weekend.
After an uncharacteristically sluggish start Fraser-Pryce finished in last position, clocking 11.18 well behind the United States’ English Gardner who took the event in 10.81. The athlete had missed her previous three appearances due to a reportedly troublesome toe injury, but was declared to be reasonably fit ahead of the meet in Eugene, Oregon. Choosing not to speak of the ailment after the race the sprinter insists the performance will not be one she will lose too much sleep over ahead of Rio.
“I just wanted to compete. I know I can run faster than that. So I know what I need to get right going to Rio,” Fraser-Pryce told Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
“I’ve been champion many times. I know now I need to work more on the mental more than physical part. My body already knows what to do to win. But my head needs to be good,” she added.
“Really, just I ran this race as a test to see where I was for the season. I had no expectations of the time.” (Sports Max)
