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• Jereem Richards delighted with lifetime best in 400m at London Diamond League as Olympic draw near

  Trinidad and Tobago's Jereem Richards expressed his elation after achieving a lifetime best in the 400m, clocking an impressive 44.18 to secure third place at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday. This stellar performance comes less than a week before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, boosting Richards' confidence ahead of the prestigious event.

  Richards' time of 44.18 eclipsed his previous best of 44.54, which he set in San Salvador in July 2023. The race was a high-calibre showdown, won by Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who delivered a sensational lifetime best of 43.74. Hudson-Smith's time not only set meet and European records but also marked the fastest time in the world heading into the Olympics. The USA’s Vernon Norwood finished second with a personal best of 44.10, making it a race of outstanding performances.

  Reflecting on his achievement, Richards shared his excitement and gratitude. "It feels great, I did not even know I was running that fast. I just wanted to go out and try and finish. I was running blind and it was difficult, but all praise and thanks to God. Without Him, this would not be possible," Richards said.

  He added, "This stadium has always been magic for me. This is where I got my two world medals and the beginning of my career, I felt the magic again today. This race was really important, it meant a lot and to come away with a huge PB. I am going to celebrate today, but not get too overexcited and just enjoy the moment.”

  Richards' performance at the London Diamond League signifies his readiness for the Paris Olympics, where he aims to capitalize on his current form. With his personal best and an acute sense of optimism, Richards heads to Paris with momentum and determination. His latest accomplishment has not only bolstered his spirits but also positioned him as a formidable contender in the upcoming Olympic Games.

   

• Alfred promises more to come from “small but mighty” St. Lucia

  2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Julien Alfred made history despite a second-placed finish in the 200m at the London Diamond League on Saturday.

  She established a new personal best and St. Lucian national record 21.86 in finishing second behind American Gabby Thomas who ran a meet record 21.82 to win.

  After narrowly missing out on medals in both the 100m and 200m at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, the 23-year-old looks set to leave Paris with at least one medal based on her excellent form this season.

  In an interview with Trackstaa after her race in London, Alfred spoke about what it means to represent her country on the world stage.

  “I feel honoured to be an ambassador for my tiny island every day I step on the track,” Alfred said.

  “We’re small but we’re mighty and we have amazing talent in St. Lucia just waiting to come out,” added the former University of Texas standout.

  The 2023 Bowerman Award winner went undefeated indoors at the beginning of the year, culminating in her first World Indoor Championship 60m title in Glasgow in March, before switching her focus outdoors in the build up to the Olympics.

  In four 100m races this season, Alfred has produced times of 11.15 at the Texas Invitational on April 27, 10.93 at the Prefontaine Classic on May 25, a personal best 10.78 at the Racers Grand Prix on June 1 and 10.85 at the Monaco Diamond League on July 12, the last two races resulting in wins.

  In her two 200m races before Saturday, she ran 22.58 at the Mt. Sac Relays on April 20 and 22.16 at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial on July 9.

  Alfred, who currently lives and trains in Texas, plans to return home to St. Lucia at the end of her season.

  “Oh Definitely. I haven’t been home to actually relax. It’s always been a quick in and out, especially this year in April, so I’ll get a chance to just go home, get back to my roots and go have fun and be with my people. That’s all I want,” she said.

  “I miss the food, the people and the environment. Just being around family, being on the beach. It’s an absolutely amazing place,” she added.

   

• Jamaica’s Powell, T&T’s Bertrand among podium finishers at Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville

  Jamaica’s Jevaughn Powell and Trinidad & Tobago’s Leah Bertrand were among the Caribbean podium finishers at Friday’s Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville, Florida.

  Powell, who took third in the 400m at both the NCAA Championships and Jamaican National Championships in June, completed his final preparation for Paris with a 20.21 clocking for second in the 200m on Friday.

  American Erriyon Knighton ran 19.92 to win while another American, Robert Gregory, ran 20.33 in third.

  Bertrand, fresh off her second national 100m title in June, ran 11.18 for third behind American Candice Hill and Nigerian Favour Ofili. Hill and Ofili both ran the same time of 11.07.

  The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris will be the first for the 21-year-old Ohio State Junior.

  Bertrand's countrywoman, Tyra Gittens, was second in the long jump with a best mark of 6.37m in the sixth and final round. The event was won by American Tionna Tobias with a massive personal best of 6.94m while countrywoman Jasmine Todd was third with 6.17m.

  Bahamian Charisma Taylor, who will be competing in the 100m hurdles in Paris, finished third in the triple jump on Friday with 13.63m.

  American’s Kenturah Orji and Jasmine Moore finished first and second with 14.08m and 14.06m, respectively.

  Jamaica’s Skyler Franklin ran 51.01 for third in the women’s 400m behind Americans Aaliyah Butler (50.14) and Bailey Lear (50.51).