Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says it is possible that she will be defending both her sprint titles at the World Championships in Beijing next month. The sprinter, who won both the 100 and 200 metres four years ago in Moscow, had said earlier this month that she would focus only on the 100 metres. Which means Jamaican sprint sensation Elaine Thompson, who broke Merlene Ottey’s 24-year-old record last week, would clash with Fraser-Pryce in 200 metres at the Bird’s Nest.
Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday, ahead of her 100m outing at the Diamond League meet here Thursday, Fraser-Pryce stated:
I was down to do the 100 and relay, but the 200 is still possible.
The 28-year-old added:
My coach did say earlier that I was not running the 200 but last week I was in practice and he said I should do a 100, a 200 and a 250. I said: ‘Why am I going all that way? I’m not running 200 at the world champs?’ And he said: ‘Who says you’re not running?’ so I said: ‘You did!’ and he said: ‘I’ve changed my mind. I’m not sure. The thing is, I’ve already earned a spot in the 200 as champion, so I wouldn’t be taking it away from anybody else.
I’ve been training hard since and running some longer distances over 200m, which I don’t like. I’m looking forward to getting my racing started again tomorrow.
