The triple Olympic and ten-time world champion talks through overcoming setbacks, the power of motherhood and her definition of success in Tokyo

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has unfinished business in Tokyo.

At last year's Paris Olympics, the Jamaican's quest to reach her fifth consecutive 100m podium at the Games was abruptly halted in the semi-finals.

After storming through her heat in 10.92 (0.8) – only bettered by Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith's 10.87 at that stage of the competition – Fraser-Pryce looked confident and, the following day, travelled to the Stade de France for her semi-final.

The sprinter was however denied entry to the stadium and, even though access was eventually granted, she was thrown off her usual routine. Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the 100m, with Jamaica's chef de mission Ian Kelly's later stating it was due to a hamstring injury.

The triple Olympic and ten-time world champion is now preparing to compete at her ninth consecutive and final World Athletics Championships. This time round, she is keen to leave the global stage on her own terms.

"I think last year was such an emotional one for me and I had so many things that I was dealing with both on and off the track," Fraser-Pryce told the global media on a World Athletics video call. "I felt like going into Paris, you know it was hard. It was tough. But I felt I did enough, so it was like that moment was just taken from me. Whether it's the circumstances or things like that, I believe I didn't get the opportunity to really do what I know I could have done in that moment.

"It was hurtful. It was the first time in my entire career that I've never been able to step to a line. And if anyone knows me, it doesn't matter what's happening, I'm going to be at the line. You know, it was heartbreaking and something I found difficult to understand. Mentally, like man, I've had injuries before, I've had setbacks and I've really been tough and got it done. And this time I wasn't able to actually get to the line.

"I had a panic attack after that day and it was very tough. I think that's really what unfinished business is; having the opportunity to really end things on my terms and walking away knowing that I gave everything. So that's what I'm looking forward to [in Tokyo]. And I think for me, in the span of my entire career, when we talk about resilience, it's knowing your power and owning it. It's knowing what you're capable of and trusting in that and believing in it."

In what is set to be her final professional season as an athlete, Tokyo represents a full-circle moment for Fraser-Pryce.

At the 2007 World Athletics Championships in Osaka, a then 20-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser travelled to Japan as a reservist in the Jamaican 4x100m team. After running in the heats, the sprinter was eligible for a silver medal.

One year later at the Beijing Olympics, she secured the 100m gold medal, starting a period of domination in the sport never before seen in women's sprinting.

Now aged 38, Fraser-Pryce is philosophical about her illustrious career and believes that the art of her longevity is her resilience.

"Around 2007/2008, I was really unsure of just everything," she says. "I was unknown and I was looking forward to those championships. That for me was the beginning of everything because my goals were just to make them. That was it. It was the only goal I had going in.

"I think 2008 therefore was one of my most favourite moments. It took so much to be able to stand at that line, knowing that there were other seasoned athletes who were very capable and who I saw compete the year or two before. I also saw them as inspirations as well. So being able, at that age, to stand on that line and deliver the first gold medal for my country was truly special.

"I came back from Beijing and then balanced my degree at the University of Technology in Kingston with being a competitive athlete. Then you talk about coming back from other things. In 2009, I had my appendix removed a couple of months before my national championships. In 2016 I had that toe injury and the following year I was pregnant with my son. I remember saying to myself 'oh, I'm coming back'. And I never looked back. I actually had my son via a C-section and although that's not what I wanted, you have to give yourself grace and trust your body."

Fraser-Pryce returned to the global stage by winning the world 100m title in Doha and, in the six years since that magical night in the Qatari capital, has secured a myriad of major sprints medals. She has also lowered her personal best to 10.60, which sees the Jamaican third on the 100m all-time list behind only world record-holder Florence Griffith Joyner and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

However, some of Fraser-Pryce's more viral moments have come from beating fellow parents at her son's Zion's sports day. And it hasn't been a one-off.

"Like they [other parents] know I'm an elite sprinter but what amazes me is the fact that they actually think they still have a chance," Fraser-Pryce laughs. "They got to the line, they are literally like ready to run, and I'm like okay, 'they're taking it serious!' So yes, they're having fun, but I don't think they understand exactly who I am because I'm taking no prisoners!

"I do not care if it's for fun. It's awesome to be able to you know just have that integration. I'm like yes, I'm an elite sprinter but I'm a mum and it's exciting when the kids want to see you run because it also gives them hope. It's really fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year."

Fraser-Pryce describes her son Zion as "my biggest motivation" and that "for women it teaches us that our dreams don't end when we become mothers". She however stresses the importance about finding the right balance between finding harmony between being an athlete and a mother, adding "there are days I wish I could do more for him [Zion] and there are days I wish, okay, I have to do more on the track".

So it's no surprise that the definition of success for Fraser-Pryce in Tokyo is to simply compete to the best of her ability. She not only wants to put on a show in the Japanese capital but is also keen to inspire the next generation of athletes.

"I would have to say that it's about being on the start line," she says. "You know, being on the line and competing. But my mindset, anywhere that I show up, is to give my best and I'm there to win. I think we have so many talented athletes in this era that I'm literally privileged to be able to continue to have this opportunity.

"I have raced against so many athletes across different generations and being able to stand on that start line and compete with them is, in itself, a huge success. I didn't get to do it [in the Olympic semi-finals] last year and it was so hurtful. You just want to represent the work that you've been able to do."