Under Trelawny’s expansive skies, a lanky boy with a mischievous smile and lightning-fast legs emerged Usain Bolt, later known as “Lightning” himself. Not too far away, in the resilient neighborhood of Waterhouse in Kingston, a determined young girl, Shelly-Ann Fraser, chased dreams barefoot through narrow streets, racing boys with her mother’s sacrifices etched into every step. Shaped by struggle and driven by purpose, they embodied something deeply Jamaican a fierce spirit summed up in the saying: “Wi likkle but wi tallawah” (We are small, but we are strong).
In September 2009, after a record-breaking season that redefined sprinting, Bolt returned home a national hero. Then-Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that he’d be granted full diplomatic privileges, a diplomatic passport, and the Order of Jamaica becoming the youngest to receive the honor at 23. A major highway, Highway 2000, would also bear his name: the Usain Bolt Highway. It was more than recognition it was a declaration. Bolt wasn’t just a Jamaican treasure; he was Jamaica’s gift to the world.
Fast forward to 2025, and that torch of national pride now rests with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Though her Order of Distinction was elevated to the Order of Jamaica in 2022, this year’s tribute touches closer to home. According to the Jamaica Gleaner (May 13), the very street in Waterhouse, St. Andrew Ashoka Road where she first dreamed of greatness, will be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive. Mayor Andrew Swaby announced the ceremony will be held on May 25 at 2 p.m., praising her as a symbol of enduring excellence and national pride.
The resolution to rename the street was introduced months prior on either September 10 or October 8 by Councillor Byron Clarke in the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber, where the spirit of the people still resounds. This street sign is more than just a marker it’s a tribute to where her journey began, how far she’s come, and how deeply she’s cherished.
This honor follows another remarkable gesture. After retiring post-Paris Olympics, the 38-year-old two-time Olympic champion was awarded the Keys to the City of Kingston. Councillor Waynette Strachan explained the significance: “It acknowledges not only her track accomplishments but her impact as a mentor and role model… Her story isn’t over, and her influence will continue to shine.”
Fraser-Pryce and Bolt two icons from different corners of Jamaica rose to global acclaim with the same determination and unyielding spirit. Their journeys intertwined on the world’s biggest stages. They didn’t just run for gold they ran for history.
Remarkably, the world recognized their greatness in unison. In November 2013, at a prestigious IAAF gala in Monaco, both were named Male and Female World Athletes of the Year—the first duo from the same nation to win both awards since two Britons did it in 1993. Bolt had added more golds to his name at the Moscow World Championships, while Fraser-Pryce matched his feat with triple gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m.
That year, Jamaica didn’t just stand on the podium it became the podium. Two champions. One island. A global legacy.
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