Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has shared a heartfelt and inspiring farewell message to his compatriot, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, after the iconic sprinter revealed she will hang up her spikes in 2025.

Fraser-Pryce has dominated the sprinting world for nearly two decades, and now, she's set to retire on her own terms, leaving behind a legacy that’s hard to match.

After nearly a year out, she competed at the World Athletics Relays in China and will represent Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.

Fraser-Pryce competed in her last Jamaica National Championships on Friday, June 27 and finished third.

The 38-year-old clocked 10.91 seconds and finished behind Tina Clayton, who won it in 10.81 seconds, while her perennial rival Shericka Jackson was second with a season's best of 10.88 seconds, per Jamaica Observer.

“One thing I knew I had on my side was experience,” Fraser-Pryce said via World Athletics. “I am grateful for that fighting spirit that says it’s never over until it’s over, and once I step on the start line, I am ready. Knowing that I’m not race sharp and running 10.91 is a big deal."

“Many people don’t know that Japan is where I started my first senior international championships,” added Fraser-Pryce. “It’s such a full circle moment for me to be going back to Japan.”

Barring any injuries, Fraser-Pryce will wear Jamaican colours for the last time in Tokyo in September.

Bolt retired from athletics in 2017 and dominated sprinting alongside Fraser-Pryce in the last decade.

He was at the Jamaica National Stadium to bid farewell to his compatriot and even interacted with her after the race. He lauded Fraser-Pryce after the event.

"She's a big deal, I'll say as big as I am. She has done so much, she has won so many gold medals. She was the first woman to win the 100m for Jamaica, so she has done tremendous for the country. Longevity and the work she has put in is just outstanding," Bolt said via Citius Mag.

"We came through the ranks together. I retired early, she showed that I should've stayed longer, but I am proud of her, she has done wonderful for the country."

The veteran sprinter is set to begin her preparations for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

She recently represented Jamaica at the World Relays in Guangzhou, helping them qualify for the championships.

While she hasn't announced her next race yet, it is likely to be part of the Diamond League circuit. Fraser-Pryce faced a frustrating end to the Olympic Games in Paris due to injury, causing her to miss the rest of the year.

However, she is now hitting top form at the right time. Her latest individual race outside of Jamaica took place in Doha on May 16.

Earlier, reported that Kishane Thompson won the Jamaican 100m title and set a world lead.

The Olympic silver medallist clocked 9.75 seconds to win ahead of Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake.

He is now the 6th fastest man in history and will face Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala later this year.

Source: TUKO.co.ke