Steven Gardiner made it a world and Olympic double by winning the men's 400 metres at Tokyo 2020 on a day where Hansle Parchment shocked Grant Holloway to win the 110m hurdles.
Ryan Crouser defended his shot put title from Rio 2016, while Pedro Pablo Pichardo and Katie Nageotte were also among the gold medal winners at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
Here's a round-up of Thursday's best action in athletics.
GARDINER FOLLOWS UP DOHA TRIUMPH
Defending 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk, who suffered a horrific knee injury in 2017, was not in the final and Gardiner displaced the South African in the Tokyo humidity.
The man from the Bahamas won gold in Doha at the world championships two years ago and timed his race to perfection in the Japanese capital, storming ahead from the final bend and passing the line in a time of 43.85s.
Anthony Zambrano of Colombia was second, while 2012 champion Kirani James added Olympic bronze for Grenada.
Just a night on from Andre De Grasse becoming men's 200m champion, Canada had more reason to celebrate as Damian Warner earned an Olympic record 9,018 points to win the decathlon. Kevin Mayer of France took silver ahead of Australia's Ashley Moloney.
In the heptathlon, Nafissatou Thiam defended her gold from Rio 2016 – the Belgian accruing 6,791 points. Dutch pair Anouk Vetter and Emma Oosterwegel were second and third.
PARCHMENT BEATS HOLLOWAY IN HUGE SHOCK
Possibly the biggest shock on the track of Tokyo 2020 so far arrived in the men's 110m hurdles, where world champion and clear favourite for gold Holloway had to settle for silver.
Instead, first place was taken by Jamaica's Parchment, an outsider on paper who stormed through when Holloway's momentum appeared to stall at the last two hurdles to win in a time of 13.04 seconds.
There was further upset for Team USA in the men's 4x100m relay, where a shock sixth-placed finish in their heat meant they missed out on the final.
Massimo Stano was a surprise winner of the men's 20km walk race, a strong finish seeing him beat well-fancied Japanese duo Koki Ikeda and Toshikazu Yamanishi.
With his victory, Italy have won three athletics gold medals at the same Games for the first time.
CROUSER LIVES UP TO THE BILLING IN AN OLYMPICS QUIRK
Crouser lived up to his billing as favourite in the men's shot put and in some style to defend his title from Rio 2016.
The American equalled or bettered his previous Olympic record with each of his six throws, with the winning distance marked at 22.93m.
World Champion and countryman Joe Kovacs took silver, while New Zealand's Tom Walsh was third. Incredibly, this was the exact same podium as at Rio 2016 – the first time in Olympics athletics to have the exact same repeat of a podium.
Pichardo was equally brilliant in taking home the men's triple jump gold. His effort of 17.98m represents the second-best winning jump in Olympics history and was personal redemption for the Portuguese, who missed out in Rio five years ago.
China's Zhu Yaming earned silver with a lifetime-best jump of 17.57, with Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso in third.
Nageotte earned a nice piece of history in winning women's pole vault gold for the United States. No woman or man has ever missed with their opening two attempts and gone on to win Olympic gold.
But Nageotte cleared 4.90m, a height no one else in the competition could match. Anzhelika Sidorova – the 2019 world champion – claimed silver for the Russia Olympic Committee, with Holly Bradshaw of the United Kingdom taking bronze.
Olympic champion Julien Alfred promotes St. Lucia as Tourism Ambassador during UK visit
Julien Alfred, St. Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion, is currently on an influential tour of the United Kingdom in her new role as Tourism Ambassador for her island nation. The title was bestowed on her in September, following her historic victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she captured gold in the 100m and became the first St. Lucian to do so. Accompanied by a senior delegation led by Minister of Tourism Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Alfred is participating in a series of high-profile events aimed at promoting St. Lucia’s culture, beauty, and hospitality.
Kicking off her week on Saturday, Alfred explored iconic London landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Joining her was fellow athlete Imani-Lara Lansiquot, a British Saint Lucian sprinter who won silver with Team GB in the women’s 4x100m relay in Paris. The two shared moments of camaraderie as they toured the city, embodying the rich connection between St. Lucian talent on the global stage.
One of the highlights of Alfred’s trip was a celebratory event at The Great Hall in Leyton, organized by the Saint Lucia High Commission and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). Alfred was the guest of honour at the vibrant gathering, which drew around 350 members of the St. Lucian diaspora and showcased the island’s arts and culture. Performers included Tysiah Edwards, the Lucianites Quadrille dancers, West End star Tanya Edwards, and celebrated musician Sherwinn Dupes Brice, among others. The event was officially hosted by Saint Lucia’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Anthony Severin, with Alfred delivering a heartfelt speech about her journey to Olympic glory and the pride she felt in representing her island on the world stage.
As part of her ambassadorial duties, Alfred participated in a series of media engagements, conducting interviews with major outlets across the BBC. During these interviews, she shared her Olympic story and expressed her excitement about promoting St. Lucia’s unique appeal to the British audience. Highlighting the natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and warmth of St. Lucia, Alfred’s appearances underscored her passion for her homeland and her eagerness to welcome new visitors to the island.
Later, Alfred and the delegation, including SLTA board chair Thaddeus M. Antoine and CEO Louis Lewis, were given an exclusive tour of the UK Parliament. This was followed by a reception at the House of Commons, where she met key members of Parliament and prominent figures in the travel industry.
Through this week of events, Alfred continues to embody the pride of St. Lucians everywhere, strengthening the bond between her homeland and the international community.
Jamaican hurdler Damion Thomas reveals career-saving surgery, eyes return to top form
Jamaican hurdler Damion Thomas, a promising talent who has seen his career hampered by injuries, on Sunday revealed that he underwent surgery on October 21 to address a persistent foot issue. The procedure, known as an osteophytectomy, involved the removal of a bone spur that had been causing severe discomfort and pain in his Achilles tendon and lower heel, limiting his ability to train and perform at his best.
Thomas, who has made significant strides in his athletic career despite facing recurring injuries, expressed gratitude for the medical support he’s received. Under the guidance of Dr. John Thompson, a specialist who has overseen his rehabilitation since March, Thomas has worked through rigorous physical therapy and orthopedic care to manage his injury. However, as the pain continued to affect his performance, surgery became necessary to give him the best chance at a full recovery.
“This past year working with Dr. Thompson has been monumental,” Thomas shared on social media. “Since March, Dr. Thompson’s overseeing of my injury through physical therapy, orthopedic care, and lastly surgical procedure has been a driving force in allowing me to finish the previous season and set myself up for a new future. I am thankful.”
The 24-year-old hurdler, who specializes in the 110m and 60m hurdles, has a decorated history in athletics. A former Louisiana State University (LSU) standout, Thomas won the 2021 NCAA Indoor 60m hurdle title, setting a school record and becoming the fifth-fastest hurdler in NCAA history. In 2018, he equaled the junior world record of 12.99 seconds in the 110m hurdles, a feat that positioned him as one of the most promising young hurdlers globally. Thomas also represented Jamaica at the Tokyo Olympics, advancing to the semi-finals with a time of 13.39 seconds in the 110m hurdles.
In early 2024, Thomas was selected to represent Jamaica at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Despite his impressive achievements, ongoing injuries have held him back from reaching his full potential on the international stage.
With the surgery now behind him, Thomas is focused on recovery and a strong comeback. His determination to overcome setbacks highlights his commitment to his sport, and fans are hopeful that the procedure will enable him to return to peak form in the coming season.
Dominica’s Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson awarded nation’s highest honour
Paris Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson was conferred with Dominica’s highest honour, the Dominica Honour Award, on Sunday in recognition of her extraordinary achievements in 2024. LaFond-Gadson, who made history by becoming Dominica’s first Olympic medalist with her gold in the triple jump in Paris, also won the triple jump title at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier in March. Each of these remarkable victories marked a historic first for a Dominican athlete, solidifying her legacy as one of the country’s most celebrated sports figures.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt had previously announced that LaFond-Gadson would be honoured with the Dominica Honour Award during her visit to the island shortly after the Olympics. The formal recognition took place during the National Parade, where the Prime Minister addressed the nation, and all honorees were celebrated for their contributions to Dominica.
The Dominica Honour Award is presented annually during the Independence Day Rally to individuals who have significantly impacted the nation’s landscape. This year, LaFond-Gadson was one of 18 Dominicans and international honorees recognized. The award was presented by Dominica’s President, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, in a ceremony that highlighted LaFond-Gadson’s exceptional achievements and the pride she has inspired across the nation.
Speaking to the media after receiving the award, LaFond-Gadson expressed that the honour was her “greatest achievement ever” and encouraged young Dominicans to pursue their dreams with dedication and passion.
The celebration of LaFond-Gadson’s accomplishments does not end with Sunday’s parade. A luncheon hosted by a private sector organization was scheduled for Monday in her honour, extending the nation’s gratitude for her contributions. Her recognition comes in addition to being named a Sports Ambassador two months ago, along with receiving a $400,000 gift and a land grant from the government.
Prime Minister Skerritt, in his address, acknowledged the immense pride that LaFond-Gadson has brought to Dominica, calling her achievements a source of inspiration for the entire nation. With her historic Olympic victory and her continued dedication to her country, Thea LaFond-Gadson has undoubtedly secured her place as a Dominican icon.
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