Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 04/Aug 03:16

Caribbean athletes sparkle on the track and field in Paris

August 3, 2024, will forever remain a historic day for Caribbean athletes at the Olympic Games. Both St Lucia and Dominica won their first-ever Olympic medals — gold in the women’s 100m and triple jump respectively — while Jamaica also captured their first Olympic medal in the men’s shot put at the Stade de France. Extraordinary performances from sprinter Julien Alfred, triple jumper Thea Lafond and shot putter Rajindra Campbell stole the show on day three of track and field events in Paris. The highlight, however, was Alfred’s silencing of American favourite Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100m final. Richardson may have thought the race was hers to win after three top contenders from Jamaica — reigning Olympic 100m champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce — all pulled out at different stages of the Games owing to injury. [caption id="attachment_1100252" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Thea Lafond, of Dominica, celebrates after winning the women's triple jump final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, on August 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. - AP PHOTO[/caption] Alfred, 22, not only thumped the American in heat two of the semifinal by winning the event in 10.84s but the US-based St Lucian shocked the world when she confidently pulled away from the pack in the final, to win gold — and St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal — in a national record time of 10.72s. Richardson held on to a credible silver in 10.87s while compatriot Melissa Jefferson took bronze in 10.92s. After crossing the finish line, Alfred celebrated her historic achievement with tears of joy along the wet track. “I dreamt of this day. I know my St Lucians are watching and I’m just happy it happened,” she said in the post-race interview. [caption id="attachment_1100253" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rajindra Campbell, of Jamaica, competes in the men's shot put final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, on August 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. - AP PHOTO[/caption] “I swear to God, I prayed to Him that whenever I win I will give Him the glory as always, so I thank God for bringing me through, giving me the strength to come so far. Father, I give You glory.” After her victory, videos circulated on social media showing hundreds of St Lucians back at home viewing the race on a large screen and jumping for joy when she crossed the finish line. Alfred added “It means a lot to them (St Lucians). I did it indoors and I was hoping to do it outdoors as well. And I’m so happy it came. I thank my coach and everybody that was a part of my journey. “(There was) no pressure at all. I wanted to go in there and run my own race and I came out with the win.” St Lucian Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre expressed elation with Alfred’s stellar race and shared congratulations via social media. “Today is a great day for the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) member states and the people of the Caribbean. In one day Saint Lucia and Dominica have created history by winning our first Olympic medal and bringing home the GOLD.” Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness also celebrated Alfred’s achievement saying that she also attended and competed for St Catherine High School in Jamaica. He congratulated the “sister island” and also sent “well done” to Jamaican Tia Clayton, who was seventh in 11.04s of the 100m final. On Fraser-Pryce’s decision to opt out of the semi-final, he said, “To our mommy rocket (Fraser-Pryce’s nickname) and decorated Olympian Shelly, we love and adore you.” [caption id="attachment_1100254" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lindon Victor, of Grenada, competes in the decathlon discus throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. - AP PHOTO[/caption] Similarly, Lafond also delivered Dominica’s first Olympic podium place, and gold was the colour. She leapt 15.02m on her second of five attempts to top the field of 12 finalists. Her distance was also a new national record. Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts leapt to silver with her season’s best 14.87m jump while American Jasmine Moore claimed bronze with 14.67m, another season’s best showing. Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also showered congratulations on Lafond’s success via social media, calling it a “truly monumental achievement”. He posted, “Your outstanding accomplishment on the global stage fills our nation with immense pride and joy. We celebrate your success and hope that your dedication and perseverance will inspire future generations of athletes in Dominica”. Skerrit added that her triumph in Paris “stands among our proudest moments as a nation”. Additionally, the reigning Jamaican shot put champion also became the first from his nation to medal in this Olympic event. Campbell launched the sphere with a championship best effort of 22.15m, achieved on his second throw. American Ryan Crouser launched to gold with his massive throw of 22.90m, while teammate Joe Kovacs held on to silver with an impressive 22.15m throw on his final attempt to overtake Campbell. TT’ Leah Bertrand, 22, also finished ninth in the third and final semi-final heat of the women’s 100m. She clocked 11.37s and was unable to move on to the medal race. In the men's decathlon, Grenadian Lindon Victor grabbed bronze with 8711 points.   The post Caribbean athletes sparkle on the track and field in Paris appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.