PARIS, France – St Lucian Julien Alfred and Dominican Thea La Fond sprinkled Caribbean star dust on the Paris Olympics, conjuring up magical performances to deliver historic gold medals for their respective nations here Saturday.
St Lucian Julien Alfred celebrates after crossing the line to win gold in the women’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics.On a phenomenal night for the region in the French capital, the 23-year-old Alfred stunned reigning World champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States in the 100 metres final, clocking a new national record 10.72 seconds, to secure St Lucia’s first ever medal at an Olympiad.
The celebrations were still at fever pitch nearly 7 000 miles away in St Lucia’s capital Castries when the 30-year-old La Fond produced a new national record 15.02 metres in the women’s triple jump, to also clinch her country’s maiden medal at an Olympic Games, and spark similar euphoria in Roseau.
The historic achievements by Alfred and La Fond marked two of five medals for the Caribbean. Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts measured a season-best 14.87 to finish with silver in the triple jump, her teammate Rajindra Campbell took bronze in the men’s shot put with a mark of 22.15 metres while Grenadian Lindon Victor pulled out the stops to also clinch bronze in the men’s decathlon with 8711 points.
It was the marquee women’s 100 metres which first grabbed the attention, especially after Alfred further elevated her nation’s hopes of a medal by surging into the final with a scintillating 10.84 clocking in the second semi-final, when she also beat Richardson into second.
There was better to come, however. Lining up in lane six with Richardson in seven, Alfred, at her first ever Olympics, burst from the blocks to assert control over the first 30 metres, with Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji also threatening from lane two but Richardson struggling to stay with the leader.
The last 50 metres belonged solely to Alfred, the former University of Texas standout pulling away imperiously to cross the line without a serious challenger.
“It feels amazing to be honest. After waking up this morning I wrote it down: Julien Alfred – Olympic champion,” Alfred told reporters.
“So I think just believing in myself and trusting that I could do it is what really mattered to me.
“I’m going through the motions right now – it hasn’t sunk in yet. I had to go out there, trust myself, trust my coach and most importantly trust God.”
Richardson, the heavy pre-race favourite, clocked 10.87 to clinch silver while fellow American Melissa Jefferson rounded out the podium with 10.92.
Teenaged Jamaican Tia Clayton finished one from last in 11.04.
St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre celebrated Alfred’s achievement, posting on his Facebook page: “Today is great day for OECS 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.
“Congratulations to Saint Lucia’s very own, Julien Alfred for winning gold in the Women’s 100m …”
There was major disappointment for veteran 37-year-old sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the former World and Olympic champion forced to withdraw from the semi-final due to injury.
La Fond, meanwhile, produced her winning leap on her second attempt, adding to her triumph at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year while erasing the disappointment at last year’s World Championship in Budapest when she finished fifth.
American Jasmine Moore measured 14.67 to take bronze.
La Fond and Ricketts, who afterwards spoke of their close friendship, celebrated together.
“This season wasn’t easy but we did it when it mattered and that’s what counts,” La Fond said as she embraced Ricketts, who added: “All that matters is what happened tonight.”
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was quick to congratulate La Fond on the behalf of a grateful nation.
“Your outstanding accomplishment on the global stage fills our nation with immense pride and joy,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
“We celebrate your success and hope that your dedication and perseverance will inspire future generations of athletes in Dominica.
“Thank you for always representing our country with such grace and dignity. Your triumph in Paris stands among our proudest moments as a nation!”
The 28-year-old Campbell grabbed his slice of history when he became the first Jamaican to medal in the shot put, producing the successful throw in the second round to move into silver medal contention.
But American Joe Kovacs measured 22.15 on his final attempt to take silver as fellow countryman Ryan Crouser clinched gold with a season-best 22.90.
Victor, 31, a bronze medallist in Budapest last year, finished behind eventual winner Markus Rooth of Norway (8796) and Germany Leo Neugebauer (8748), to add to his Commonwealth Games titles.
