St Lucian Julien Alfred and Dominican Thea La Fond magical performances at the Paris Olympics to deliver historic gold medals for their respective nations.
The 23-year-old Alfred stunned reigning World champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States in the 100-meter final, clocking a new national record of 10.72 seconds, securing St Lucia’s first-ever medal at an Olympiad.
While celebrations were ongoing, 30-year-old La Fond produced a new national record of 15.02 metres in the women’s triple jump, to also clinch her country’s maiden medal at an Olympic Games 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 while her teammate Rajindra Campbell took bronze in the men’s shot put with a mark of 22.15 metres. Grenadian Lindon Victor also clinched bronze in the men’s decathlon with 8711 points.
It was Alfred’s triumph in the women’s 100-meter dash that first grabbed attention.
Lining up in lane six with Richardson in seven, Alfred, at her first ever Olympics, asserted control over the first 30 meters, with Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji also threatening from lane two and Richardson struggling to stay with the leader.
The last 50 meters belonged entirely to Alfred 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 matters 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 clocked 10.87 to clinch silver, while fellow American Melissa Jefferson took the bronze spot the podium with 10.92.
There was major disappointment for veteran and former World and Olympic champion, 37-year-old sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she was forced to withdraw from the semifinal 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.
American Jasmine Moore measured 14.67 to take bronze.
La Fond and Ricketts, who afterward 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.”
