Fraser-Pryce to go for sprint double at Tokyo Olympics

Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will run in both the 100 metres and 200 metres events at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Fraser-Pryce is a two-times Olympic 100 metres 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.

“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 metres 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 metres, 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.

With over a decade of dominance in the sport, Fraser-Pryce has won more global 100m titles than any other female sprinter in history.

Nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” for her petite frame (she stands 5 feet tall) and explosive block starts, she is ranked fourth on the list of the fastest 100 m female sprinters of all time, with a personal best of 10.70 seconds.

Meanwhile, Russia have been given extra time to respond to charges that several of its leading track and field officials helped forge documents to give a star athlete an alibi for missing drug tests.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees disciplinary issues in the sport, said on Friday the Russian track and field federation has been given an extension until Jan.2.

The federation had originally been required to answer the charges by Dec. 12. The reason for the extension hasn’t been given, but the suspension of so many senior figures has caused turbulence at the federation. Federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin was among seven Russians charged last month over the alleged forgery of medical documents to help world indoor high jump champion Danil Lysenko. He has also been charged, and the federation itself faces possible expulsion by governing body World Athletics.

Agencies