Jamaican sprinter and 100 metres women’s champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has pulled out of the Kip Keino Classic set to be staged at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Saturday afternoon.
The five-time world champion sustained an injury that could not see her compete in the eagerly awaited meeting where she starred during the last gathering.
The newly-crowned Laureaus World Sportswoman of the Year left the athlete’s hotel in the early hours of Friday in the company of her coach Reynaldo Walcott and physiotherapist Keneil Brown.
Organisers confirmed that the multiple worlds and Olympic champions had left Nairobi to seek urgent specialised treatment in Milan, Italy.
According to the event organisers, the sensational athlete got injured on Wednesday but trained on Thursday hoping that she could shrug off the injury, however, it was impossible hence booking a flight to Milan at 4:45 am before arriving in Milan via Egypt Air to see her personal doctor.
“I am deeply disappointed to share that I will not be competing at the Kip Keino Classic. I was truly looking forward to kicking off my season at one of the greatest athletic events in East Africa. I love coming to Nairobi and seeing the fans and people; there’s an unspoken energy you can’t find anywhere else,” the Jamaican said in a statement.
Due to the injury, Fraser-Pryce who was scheduled to travel to Hong Kong for another engagement has since been forced to cancel all future engagements for now.
The Kip Keino classic meeting would have been Fraser-Pryce’s first race of the season having last competed in September last year.
During last year’s meeting, the Jamaican who is also known as ‘pocket-rocket’ run for the first time on Kenyan soil. She clocked 10.67 seconds in dominating the 100 metres race.
Dotting fans who were upbeat to see the Jamaican showcase her talent will be disappointed with the outcome of the events.
