Fraser-Pryce gets season going

The 16th season of five-time World Championships 100 metres winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's career will begin at the scene where she started her impressive sub-10.7 seconds clocking for last year's campaign, as she headlines the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Fraser-Pryce will open her campaign in the 100 metres, the second time she has opened her slate in the event at the meet. It will be the first time, however, she will begin a season on the African continent.

Fraser-Pryce landed in Nairobi on Wednesday, hours after being crowned Laureus Sportswoman of the Year.

With fond memories from last year in her first meet in Africa, Fraser-Pryce said that she hopes that with COVID-19 no longer a global health emergency, the fans will attend in full for what she expects to be a good showing.

"Last year, I had a fantastic time. The energy and atmosphere were phenomenal. So now that there is no COVID, I'm sure everyone will be out in their numbers, and we will definitely, be having a good time," Fraser-Pryce told reporters on Wednesday upon arriving in Kenya.

Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.67 last year, the start of her seven sub-10.7 clockings, the most for a woman sprinter in a calendar year. Her campaign last year was highlighted by defending her World Championships title with that mark. Compared to last season, where she started her season in Jamaica before departing to Kenya to begin her 100 metres slate, Fraser-Pryce is looking forward to gauging where she is, starting fresh.

"I am looking forward to competing well. I have not run since September last year and it is a different year. So you want to see where you are at as opposed to last year, where I ran a 200 metres in Kingston before I came here last year," Fraser-Pryce said. "This time I didn't run anything. So this is me coming here and seeing where I am at, and I am sure it will be fantastic."

Fraser-Pryce was expected to start her season in Botswana on April 29 but pulled out, citing a family emergency.

Meanwhile, American Sha' Carri Richardson, after setting the new world lead of 10.76 seconds for the 100 metres on April 29, will compete in the 200 metres.