After Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Disrespect, Another Track & Field Star Suffers Similar Fate With Local Community

On a summer morning in New Haven Heights, on June 1, the folks of the town gathered to celebrate the incredible feats of their local track and field star. The idea was to honor this rising sprint sensation by unveiling a commemorative signboard at the entrance of the community. Known for her gold-medal performances at the 52nd Carifta Games and a standout showing at the JAAA World Championships Preparation meet, this young athlete had certainly earned the recognition. But when the curtains were pulled back, it became a moment to be noted—a déjà vu that had just played out days earlier. How?

So, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is just a few months deep into her final track season ever, she was given a tribute in Waterhouse, St Andrew, recently, as the road where the 3x Olympic champion grew up, earlier known as Ashoka Road, was renamed as the “Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive.” However, on the unveiling day, the actual board on site was misspelled as “Fraser-Price.” Yet, Shelly-Ann appeared all smiles as she heartily accepted the honor. But now, a similar blunder has happened with one of Jamaica’s young phenoms, Shanoya Douglas!

6 days after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce received her honor on May 25, the residents of New Haven Heights honored rising Jamaican star, Shanoya Douglas, by unveiling a commemorative signboard that had her name at the entrance of the community, in a ceremony conducted on June 1. Surprisingly, much like Shelly-Ann’s name, even the young track star’s name was misspelt as “Shannoya” and not “Shanoya.”

In the presence of everyone, her family, friends, and representatives from the Granville Primary and Infant School where she passed out from, Shanoya still put up a bright smile as she posed with the sign board with utmost grace and welcomed the honor. With a signboard reading “New Haven Heights Home of Shannoya Douglas Proudly Celebrates our track & field Hero, The Pride of Our Community,” the blunder was clearly notable.

In fact, it was a huge and memorable ceremony for her as Douglas’s Coach Garth Smythe, her great-grandmother Louise Tracy Reid, her uncle, and the principal from the primary school all paid their tribute to her. But just that one spot on the slate that day was probably the wrong name.

After Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s name was misspelled on the street sign unveiled in her honour earlier this week, young Muschett star Shanoya Douglas is now the latest victim of a name blunder pic.twitter.com/pKyVixfhbo

— Track side with Mel (@TracksidewidMel) June 2, 2025

However, there are chances that this gets corrected soon. Because right after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s wrong spelling was pointed out on the board, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) corrected her surname spelling on the boards. The Chief Executive Officer of the KSAMC also apologised for the error saying, “Here we are today. The sign contractors have come and changed all the signs…and I just want to again extend my sincere and heartfelt apologies to the honourable Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to the residents of Ashoka Road, now known as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive and the residents of Waterhouse in general, indeed, the entire Jamaica for the error that was caused. And we are happy that she accepted our apology very well in good spirits and that we are here making the corrections as we indeed committed.”

So chances are, Shanoya Douglas’ name will get corrected too if the residents of New Haven Heights spot the visible mistake. But if we were to keep this mishap aside, this happens to be a major honor for Shanoya. And well, it was also truly well-deserved after the kind of performances she has been putting up. Here are a few recent milestones that justify Douglas’ outstanding honor!

After Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica’s sprint future in good hands

Shanoya Douglas had a fabulous run in the month of April, winning 4 gold medals- in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m relays at the 52nd Carifta Games. Not just Trinidad, the whole of Jamaica took notice of this rising phenomenon thereafter, as her dominance sounded loud and clear. But this wasn’t all she had in her arsenal.

Douglas’ latest achievement was at the JAAA World Championships Preparation #2 meet, where she clocked 23.32 seconds to grab gold in the women’s 200m. This wasn’t it, as she followed through with a strong 400m performance that saw her take up the runner-up spot.

So yes, Jamaican youngsters are clearly following in the footsteps of icons like Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and they truly deserve the honors! What do you think of this? Let us know below!

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