The five-time world 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will not be participating in the Absa Kip Keino Classic sprint event this Saturday due to a sudden knee injury.
The newly-crowned Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year had to leave Nairobi in the early hours of Friday with her coach Reynaldo Walcott and physiotherapist Keneil Brown to seek specialized treatment in Milan, Italy.
In a statement, Fraser-Pryce expressed her disappointment in not being able to participate in one of the greatest athletic events in East Africa, where she was looking forward to kicking off her season. She confirmed that she had picked up the injury during training on Thursday, and despite trying to push through, it only got worse.
Fraser-Pryce’s doctor in Milan could only provide emergency treatment on Friday, leading her to fly out immediately. Meeting Director Barnaba Korir confirmed that Fraser-Pryce had alerted the organizers on Thursday night about her injury.
He expressed disappointment over her sudden exit, which would certainly disappoint her legion of Kenyan fans. Fraser-Pryce was scheduled to travel to Hong Kong for another engagement, which has now been cancelled.
Fraser-Pryce’s absence from the 100 meters race scheduled for 4.05 pm is a huge blow to the meeting. She had been drawn to compete against Hemida Basant (Egypt), Rani Rosius (Belgium), Teahna Daniels (USA), Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry (USA), Zoe Hobbs (New Zealand), and Kenyans Esther Mbagari and Monica Safania.
Last year, Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.67 seconds in dominating the 100 metres race at the Absa Kip Keino Classic, her first race on Kenyan soil. She had been scheduled to plant a tree at Kasarani as part of Athletics Kenya’s sustainability program before featuring in a press conference at the Safari Park Hotel at 11 am.
