First time – and its gold …. Sprinter Julien Alfred (St Lucia) and triple-jumper Thea Lafond (Dominica) showed that the little islands are no longer so little as respectively they won their country’s first ever Olympic Games medal – and they made it gold! Alfred, 23 years-old, winner of the 100 metres in 10.72 seconds, up-set the form-book highly-touted Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) with Daryll Neita (UK) fourth in 10.72 seconds. Meanwhile 30 year-old Lafond won the triple-jump with a leap of 15.02 metres – ahead of second-placed Sharieka Ricketts (Jamaica). Both victories were achieved in teeming rain.
Heartbreak … for Kishane Thompson in the 100 metres of the Olympic Games in Paris. The Jamaican, the favourite of the cognoscenti, had the race in his hands until the final stride. Noah Lyles (USA) came up with astonishing speed to eclipse Thompson over the finishing-line which both he and Lyles crossed in 9.79 seconds. It was an astonishingly fast race with the closest of finishes. Oblique Seville, the second Jamaican in the final, finished eighth/last.
Roje Stona, 25 year-old Jamaican from Montego Bay, won his country’s first gold medal at the Olympic Games at Paris by throwing the discus a competition record 70 metres. It may have been unexpected as Jamaicans are renowned more for their sprint excellence. Compatriot Rajindra Campbell confirmed the advance in field events by taking bronze in the shot-put. Jamaicans have three silver medals through 100 metres Kishane Thompson, long-jumper Wayne Pinnock, and triple-jumper Shanieka Richards. Julien Alfred, St Lucia, added a 200 metres silver medal to her gold at 100 metres.