PARIS, CMC – 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.
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 were two of five medals for the Caribbean. Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts measured a season-best 14.87 to finish second 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.
(See Full Sports for full report)
CMC