Fraser-Pryce, Felix make history
Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce surged to an unprecedented fourth 100m crown and US legend Allyson Felix broke Usain Bolt’s gold medal record tally as the returning new mothers lit up the World Championships in Doha on Sunday.
Fraser-Pryce and Felix, both racing in their first major championships since taking time off from the sport to have children, lit up a pulsating day three of competition at the Khalifa Stadium.
The 32-year-old Fraser-Pryce, who skipped the 2017 championships to give birth to her first child, delivered a barnstorming run to take the 100m in 10.71sec.
Fraser-Pryce was in control from the gun, rocketing out of the blocks and taking the lead in the opening 20 metres.
The veteran Jamaican then swept over the line majestically to add to the world titles won in 2009, 2013 and 2015 before setting off on a victory lap carrying her two-year-old son Zyon.
In 2013, Fraser-Pryce was named IAAF World Athlete of the Year after an outstanding season, thus becoming the first Jamaican woman to win since the legendary Merlene Ottey in 1990.
The day also saw US track queen Felix win a record 12th World Championship gold medal.
Felix only returned to the sport in July after a 13-month layoff which saw her give birth to her daughter Camryn last November.
The 33-year-old took gold in the 4x400m mixed relay as the United States motored to victory in a world record time of 3min 09.34sec.
Felix’s 12th gold medal broke Jamaican legend Bolt’s record tally of 11 World Championship gold medals.
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