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Finding friends turned sisters in a rivalry individual sport as athletics is rare, but not for Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who have found comfort in each others arms.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's sismance relationship is graciously envied in the athletics community - despite being rivals on the track.
Both women's success on the track has made them role models to several young girls and brought a more positive light to the sport. For Ta Lou, the goal is to keep making an impact on people's lives, especially from her continent in Africa.
The Ivorian is arguably Africa's greatest female 100m runner all-time, having won world championships sprints medals, owns the African Record (AR) of 10.72s (sixth-fastest in world history), and has qualified for every major championship final in the past decade.
Fraser-Pryce on the other hand, is regarded as the greatest female 100m runner of all-time as a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion in the event.
This season saw both women not reach their maximum potential at the World Championships in Budapest - Fraser-Pryce getting the bronze medal and not able to successfully defend her world title, while Ta Lou settled for another agonizing fourth-place finish.
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In an interview with Lynne Wachira for BBC Sports Africa, Ta Lou poured out her emotions after the sad events of Budapest.
"It really hurts, and I still can't say I am over it. I wanted to get a medal but finished fourth. I have been in a situation where I have been crying alone in my room.
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"The support I received from fans across the world and my fellow competitors has been my saving grace," she said.
One such support is from Fraser-Pryce, who she said wouldn't let her quit.
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"My sister, Shelly, won't let me give up on running," Ta Lou said of the 36-year-old Jamaican.
"She is constantly reminding me that she is older than me and she is still going strong. Her words are loud in my head every single day, and she never gets exhausted of motivating me to wake every morning and do what I like.
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15:42 - 23.03.2023
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"Shelly-Ann is one of the many reasons you will see me in Paris for what could be my last Olympic Games."
Ta Lou may have had a sad ending to the 2023 season, despite an early season dominance and rediscovering a new form before the Budapest agony. However, she's keeping the hope alive and has a prayer request ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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20:55 - 04.10.2023
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"All I am telling God as we head to Paris is 'not another fourth, please."
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