It was meant to be a proud and unforgettable Sunday in the heart of Waterhouse, St. Andrew—a day that would etch Olympic glory into the very streets where it was born. The sun rose with a gentle warmth on May 25th, casting a golden light over Ashoka Road, the humble stretch where one of Jamaica’s greatest champions, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, first learned to dream. Everything had been building toward this. The decision to rename the street had been quietly made eight months earlier, passed in a motion brought by Councillor Byron Clarke inside the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber. But the public announcement had come earlier in May, stirring excitement across the island. At last, the community was ready to pay tribute to its sprint queen with a gesture as permanent as the concrete beneath their feet: Ashoka Road would become Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive.

That Sunday, everything was in place. Families lined the street, many of them holding Jamaican flags and her signature green and gold colors. Shelly-Ann herself arrived, smiling brightly beside her family, her presence lighting up the block like it always had. Representatives from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation were there too, along with local leaders, media, and adoring fans. It felt right. It felt perfect. Then came the moment. The dignitaries stepped forward, the drums paused, and the crowd hushed as the stand was unveiled. Cameras flashed. The cloth came down. And there it was. But something was wrong. Very wrong.

Instead of reading Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive, the plaque said: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price Drive. Wrong spelling. Wrong name. Meanwhile, gasps rippled through the crowd. Confused murmurs turned to disappointed groans. On a day meant to honor Jamaica’s sprint legend, her name—her identity—had been misspelled in bold, permanent letters. For a woman who had carried the nation’s name flawlessly across finish lines around the world, it was a jarring oversight. But Shelly-Ann kept her composure.

She stood with grace, even as the moment was quietly slipping away from what it was meant to be. In fact, on May 25, she posted a clip to her Instagram story showing her arrival at the location, radiating joy and flashing a warm, genuine smile, fully embracing the moment in her most natural element. But that did not mean the authority let the problem go without addressing it. 

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) wasted no time in owning up to the blunder that took the shine off what should have been a flawless tribute to one of Jamaica’s greatest sporting icons. Just hours after the misspelling on the new street sign sparked widespread disappointment, the KSAMC publicly apologized to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce during Sunday’s ceremony.

Taking the microphone with humility and urgency, KSAMC CEO Robert Hill addressed the crowd and the nation with a heartfelt message. “The correct sign will be placed there in less than 12 hours’ time,” Hill said. “Rest assured that that will be done. It does—and even you, Shelly-Ann, yourself have said—it does not take away from the meaning, sincerity, and the celebration, and the importance of what today is. But these things sometimes do happen, and I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any inconvenience or any misunderstanding that may have ensued from this error.” The sentiment was echoed by Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, who didn’t hold back in his post-event interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“The CEO has indicated before that he apologised and took responsibility for it,”  Swaby said. “I wholeheartedly apologise to Shelly-Ann, to her sponsors, her family, and her community for that. Words can’t explain it. We are really sorry… By tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock, we are assured that it will be treated correctly.” While the mistake left a sting, the swift response and sincere apologies were a step toward restoring the moment’s dignity. However, last February, the same authority handed Shelly-Ann the highest honor, and things went smoothly. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce earned the highest honor of Kingston 

Back in February, the city of Kingston rolled out the red carpet—literally and figuratively—for one of its brightest stars. In a celebration brimming with pride and admiration, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was awarded the Keys to the City of Kingston, the highest honour granted by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

It was a scene worthy of royalty. Shelly-Ann, radiant as ever, was paraded through the streets in an open-hooded car, waving to cheering onlookers as the community that raised her stood in awe of the champion she had become. When she arrived at the ceremony, she was handed a gleaming plaque adorned with a symbolic key, marking not just access to the city, but the deep respect and gratitude it holds for her.

Mayor Andrew Swaby captured the significance of the moment perfectly: “We presented the Keys to the City of Kingston to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce— a global ambassador for Jamaica. As we honour her, we also reaffirm our commitment to uplifting our athletes, ensuring that their contributions are valued not just in their moments of glory but long after.” It was more than a gesture—it was a statement. A promise that Jamaica’s heroes, like Shelly-Ann, will always have a place of honour, not just on podiums, but in the heart of the nation.