'So Many Things Need to Be Fixed' - Why Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Believes She Is the Perfect Face of the Sport

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has articulated why she is the right person to represent the sport, even with her naturally introverted personality.

The triple world champion made headlines at the just-concluded World Athletics Championships after becoming the second woman, just after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in the same championship.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden claimed top honours in the women’s 100m, locking the fourth fastest time in history, 10.61 seconds to cross the finish line.

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In the 200m, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocked 21.68 seconds before being a crucial part of Team USA’s 4x100m relay team that secured a gold medal.

Five-time world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce achieved the feat at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Thanks to her dominant season, remaining unbeaten in the 100m, discussions have emerged about her becoming the face of the sport.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden expressed that she sees herself as embodying the best of both worlds, combining excellence in her sport with a desire for authenticity.

The triple world champion explained that, unlike others who prefer to maintain a private image, she wants people to recognise her not only for her performances but also for who she truly is.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden admitted that she often struggles with sharing aspects of her life on social media, as she values genuine, in-person connections and wants others to form their opinions of her based on real interactions rather than perceptions or assumptions.

She added that this approach, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden believes, would make her well-suited to represent the sport, as she aspires to be a visible and positive figure within it while also contributing to improving areas that she feels need change.

“I feel like I'm kind of like the best of both worlds in a sense, like how you say Sydney is kind of more so on the private side, but she's really great at what she does. I feel like I want to be really great at what I do, but I also want people to see me for me, which is why I struggle a lot with like posting on social media or just posting different aspects of my life, whether it's a TikTok or something like that,” Melissa Jefferson-Wooden said in an interview with Citius Mag.

“But I'm very adamant about in-person or in-phase connection, and allowing people to get to see me for who I am based on their interactions with me, not based on what they may have heard about me or what they may think of me. You know, I want you to be able to make that decision for yourself.

“And I feel like, for the sport, I would be really good at that, and then also like when it comes to being the face of the sport, I want to definitely be a face in the sport, not only because of what I can do, but also because like obviously in our sport, so many things need to be fixed.”

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden acknowledged that the sport still faces numerous challenges that need to be addressed for athletes to feel properly valued and supported.

She pointed out that despite the immense effort athletes put into training and competing on the world stage, many still face financial instability, with some having to return to regular jobs after weeks away competing, and others struggling to secure basic sponsorships or shoe contracts.

She emphasised that such circumstances are disheartening and should not be the norm for elite athletes. Reflecting on her potential role as a leading figure in the sport, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden explained that she views herself as someone who could help bring about meaningful change.

She admitted that, in a way, she felt like she was pitching herself, but believed that what she offered went beyond personal recognition. Her goal, she said, would be to create opportunities and initiatives that benefit everyone in the sport, not just a select few.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden expressed a desire to redefine what it means to be the ‘face’ of a sport, not as someone who simply profits from fame, but as a figure who advocates for collective progress and fairness.

“There are so many things that need to be addressed for us to stop feeling like, you know, we do all this work, we go compete against the world, and some of us still have to go home to a job after being away for three weeks, or some of us can't even get a shoe contract,” she added.

“Like it's hard and that shouldn't be the case. But like I feel like with me being the face, I feel like I'm over here trying to like pitch myself in a way, but I feel like what I bring to the table, like I would be able to, let's see, in a sense, offer ways that'll be able to help everyone. Obviously, being a face or being a star of the sport, you know, every sport has its stars.”

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden also spoke candidly about the challenges that come with pushing for change. She noted that while many people call for improvement, few discuss the sacrifices and risks involved in making it happen.

Change, she said, often requires taking chances and being willing to face failure. She acknowledged that fear of damaging one’s image or reputation can hold athletes back, especially in a sport where public perception is everything.

Still, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden maintained that true progress depends on courage, the willingness to step out in faith, try something different, and accept that even if it does not work out, the effort itself represents growth and resilience.

“Sometimes, the failures that come with trying something new, people are scared of and I get that because in our sport, all we have is our image or what we do on the track,” Melissa Jefferson-Wooden said.

“But at the same time, I feel like if you have the balls, in a sense, to step out on faith, to want to try something new, to want to be a part of something different, and it doesn't work, like that's okay. That's what it's about, you know?”

As an athlete who has already etched her name in history with record-breaking performances and championship titles, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has expressed her readiness to become the face of the sport, noting that true leadership extends beyond medals and accolades.