EUGENE, Oregon, CMC – St Lucia sprint sensation Julien Alfred and Dominica’s high-flying Thea La Fond showcased their unwavering determination, leading English-speaking Caribbean athletes to the podium at the Prefontaine Classic – a significant event in the World Athletics Diamond League series – on Saturday in the United States.
Several Jamaicans were among the starters – including double women’s Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah – but only triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts among them came close to the runners-up spots that Alfred and La Fond took in their respective disciplines at Hayward Field.
The highly anticipated showdown between Thompson-Herah and world champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States in the women’s 100 meters was a testament to the fierce competition. However, it was left to Alfred, the women’s world indoor 60-meter champion, to challenge the American glamour queen.
Richardson made a winning season debut over the distance when she clocked 10.83 seconds – six hundredths-of-a-second off the world leading time – and cruised to a smooth win.
She had a good start, but Alfred had a few steps on her in the early stages. Richardson quickened impressively at the 30-meter mark and eased into the lead to coast across the line.
Alfred was second in 10.93 secs, and Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain clocked 10.98 to finish third, Thompson-Herah, making her first competitive appearance since the previous Prefontaine Classic last September, coming at the back of the field of nine runners in 11.30.
La Fond, the women’s triple jump world leader this year, finished second by 11 centimeters when her last attempt failed to eclipse the mark of 14.73 meters by winner Leyanis Pérez Hernández of Cuba.
Ricketts, demonstrating her exceptional skills, finished with a season’s best distance of 14.55, securing a respectable third place.
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