Fraser-Pryce to go for sprint double at Tokyo Olympics

FILE PHOTO: Athletics – World Athletics Championships – Doha 2019 – Women’s 4×100 Metres Relay Final – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – October 5, 2019. Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Natalliah Whyte celebrate winning gold. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel/File Photo

(Reuters) – Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will run in both the 100 meters and 200 meters events at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Fraser-Pryce is a two-times Olympic 100 meters champion and she won gold at this year’s world championships in Doha.

The 32-year-old, who has four world 100m titles to her name, did not compete in the 200 at the 2016 Rio Olympics to focus on the shorter event in which she finished third despite a toe injury.

“I will be doubling up definitely,” Fraser-Pryce was quoted as saying by website insidethegames here

“Last year I really wanted to attempt the double but coach had other plans so I just worked with that plan. He knows best.”

Fraser-Pryce, who won the 200 meters gold medal at the 2013 world championships and silver at the 2012 London Olympics, said her aim was to run under 22 seconds for the first time in what will be her fourth and final Olympics.

“I am definitely looking forward to running the 200 meters, especially because I believe in my heart that I can run 21 seconds,” she added. “It’s a big passion of mine so I am working really hard towards that.”

The Tokyo Olympics runs from July 24 to Aug. 9.

Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond

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source: reuters.com