Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser shakes hands with Wayne Miller, head of marketing at Digicel, during an endorsement-deal signing at the Courtleigh Hotel yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Olympic 100 metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, says there is a strong possibility that she could contest the 200 metres at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships, which will be held in Berlin, Germany, next year.

Speaking after the announcement of an endorsement contract with Digicel yesterday, Fraser said running the half-lap event in addition to the 100 metres, is a possibility, as it is something she would be willing to do if her coach, Stephen Francis, deems it fit.

"I have started training and it is progressing smoothly. With next year's World Championship in Berlin being my next goal, I hope to get back into top shape so that I can perform at my best and make the country proud again," said Fraser.

Big possibility

"As it relates to the 200 metres, it's a big possibility, but it is up to my coach, as, if he thinks that it is in my best interest, I will do it, as I am always looking for ways to expand myself," she added.

Fraser, who took the world by surprise at the Beijing Olympics in the summer when she outran fellow Jamaicans Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to take gold in 10.78 seconds, will in the meantime, like Olympic triple goal medallist and Male Athlete of the Year, Usain Bolt, represent Digicel as an ambassador for the next four years.

Under the terms of her contract with Digicel, Fraser will participate in a variety of promotional activities, such as advertising and marketing campaigns and personal appearances. She will also receive an incentive bonus each time she breaks a record, be it personal, local, world or Olympic, which she is looking forward to.

"I am pleased and thankful that Digicel has seen it fit to use me to endorse their company," said Fraser, who was all smiles throughout the announcement yesterday. "As an ambassador, I plan to endorse Digicel to the fullest with dignity and pride," she added.

Wayne Miller, head of marketing at Digicel, also spoke of high expectations for the partnership with the former Wolmer's Girls student and now MVP/UTECH athlete.

"It is a pleasure to announce the formalisation of our endorsement contract with Shelly-Ann Fraser," said Miller. "In welcoming Shelly-Ann, who we think is a perfect fit given her attitude and pleasant demeanour, we are looking to, and are very excited, about a long and successful partnership," he added.