Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann withdraws from Kip Keino Classic

Reigning 100M world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce of Jamaica training at Kasarani Annex on May 11, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Five times world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has pulled out of the Kip Keino classic after sustaining a knee injury during training.

Shelly-Anne got a knee injury while in training at the Kasarani annex, Nairobi, and was flown to Milan, Italy for treatment on Friday, May 12.

Absa Kip Keino Classic Meeting Director Barnabas Korir said that the Jamaican athlete had informed the event organisers on Thursday night that her injury had gotten worse.

"She raised genuine concern and explained that after aggravating the knee injury, she immediately called her doctor in Milan who could only be available for emergency treatment on Friday, and that's why we had to get the next available flight to Milan," said Korir.

He added that they would have wished for the Jamaican star to stay on as a guest following the injury but the tight doctor's schedule meant that she had to leave.

She jetted out of the country on Friday morning.

The double Olympic champion arrived in Kenya on May 10 excited to take part in the much-anticipated match in Kasarani, Nairobi.

"Kenya is the space station and I'm here to launch my rocket to Budapest. I have not run since September last year but I'm looking forward to competing well at Kasarani. It's a different year so I want to see where I am at for now." the Jamaican sprint icon said.

This marks the second event this year that Fraser-Pryce has pulled out of after the Botswana Grand Prix on April 29.