Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the most decorated track and field athletes in history, has been appointed as a new Global Ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good movement, the organization confirmed in an official statement.
Fraser-Pryce, who claimed the 2023 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, brings a decades-long legacy of athletic excellence and community impact to the role, aligning perfectly with Laureus’ core mission to transform young lives through the power of sport. Off the track, the five-time Olympian founded the Pocket Rocket Foundation, a non-profit organization that delivers academic scholarships, one-on-one mentorship, and targeted support to emerging Jamaican student-athletes facing barriers to opportunity.
In its announcement, Laureus emphasized that Fraser-Pryce’s lifelong commitment to lifting up her local community through sport directly mirrors the organization’s foundational goals, a shared values alignment that has drawn hundreds of top global athletes to join the Laureus Ambassador network in recent years.
Fraser-Pryce’s first official assignment in her new post will be a public appearance at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, scheduled to take place in Madrid on April 20. The appearance will mark her return to the iconic Laureus red carpet, six years after her first nomination for the World Sportswoman of the Year award – a honor she went on to win in 2023, capping a career that includes six total nominations for the award.
The 2026 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year shortlist features three standout stars from the 2025 World Athletics Championships: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who swept gold in the women’s 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who clocked the second-fastest 400m time in human history to claim gold; and Faith Kipyegon, who secured her fourth consecutive world title in the 1500m event.
Speaking on her new appointment, Fraser-Pryce noted that Laureus has long been a key part of her professional journey, and that she is deeply honored to step into the ambassador role. “This moment reflects a continued commitment to the sport and to the athletes coming behind me,” she said. “My experience has given me a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges athletes face today, and I’m passionate about using that perspective to guide, uplift, and empower the next generation to rise to even greater heights.”
Sebastian Coe, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy and president of World Athletics, praised Fraser-Pryce’s addition to the network, calling her one of the most dominant and enduring athletes in modern sports. “For nearly 20 years she set extraordinary standards on the track, not only through her unmatched performances but through the grace and resilience she brings to everything she does,” Coe explained. “Her commitment to education and expanding opportunity for young people – in particular in her home country of Jamaica – is deeply aligned with the values of Laureus. We are delighted to welcome her as a Laureus Ambassador and I know she will play a huge role in helping Laureus continue its mission of improving young lives through the power of sport.”
Over a 20-year elite career, Fraser-Pryce has claimed three Olympic gold medals and 10 World Championship titles, making her the most globally decorated sprinter in the history of track and field. One of her most iconic achievements came at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, where she won the 100m gold after becoming a mother in 2019, breaking records to become the oldest athlete ever to claim a global sprint title. She has inspired millions of sports fans across the world with her longevity, skill, and consistent commitment to giving back.
Fraser-Pryce joins a global roster of more than 200 Laureus Ambassadors, all elite athletes who volunteer their platforms, voices, and passion to advance the Laureus Sport for Good mission. Since the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, other high-profile athletes to join the volunteer ambassador network include freestyle skier Eileen Gu, football stars Jude Bellingham and Thiago Alcântara, and gymnastics legend Simone Biles.