After a relatively disappointing season in 2021, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards announced on Sunday that he is determined to make 2022 a better year.
Richards, a finalist in the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics, opened his season with a spanking new lifetime best of 45.83 that won him the 400m at the New Balance Grand Prix in New York. The time was more than 0.5s faster than his previous indoor best of 46.37 set in January 2017 and has set the tone for what he hopes to be a successful 2022.
Still, it did not come as much of a surprise for the 2018 Commonwealth Games 200m champion.
“I was very excited but not so surprised to finally run under 46 seconds indoor,” he told Sportsmax.TV whole crediting his training partner, who just happens to hold the outdoor world record in the event.
“In the off-season, I trained with Wayde (van Niekerk) and he pushed me beyond my limits. I must say I appreciate him as a training partner.”
2021 was a disappointing year for Richards, who was eighth in the 200m final in Tokyo but he has taken the disappointments in stride and has already put them behind him knowing that he gave it his best shot.
“I didn’t get the results that I would’ve wanted in Tokyo but I know for a fact I gave 100 per cent each and every time I touched the track,” said Richards who intends to defend his Commonwealth title later this year.
“Some years are just better than others, I guess. Each and every season I try my best to be better than I was the year before.”
Despite his progress in the indoor 400m and training with van Niekerk, Richards said there should not be any expectation of him stepping up to the longer sprint.
"I’ve always been more of a speed runner trying to put together a good 400m. I like the 400m but I have always felt comfortable over 200m plus the 400m hurts a lot," he said.
On a more sombre note, Richards’ career-best performance came less than a month after his friend, compatriot and fellow Olympian Deon Lendore perished in a motor vehicle accident in Texas. “Deon bai this one was for you. Love You, Bro,” Richards posted on Instagram after his race on Sunday.
It was the follow up to a previous post on January 11 when he described his late friend as an inspiration.
“You inspired an entire generation of athletes from your collegiate career teaching us to be confident, that anything is possible once you work hard enough.”
He told Sportsmax.TV that his performance in New York was his way of remembering his fallen comrade.
“It was a meaningful performance for me to pay tribute to Deon,” he said. “I was inspired by Deon’s achievements and his warrior spirit and I hope to inspire the younger generation just like he did.”
Richards plans on racing again in Birmingham, England, on February 19.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Olympic champion Julien Alfred wraps up UK tour with visits to Ladbroke Grove schools
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred concluded her tour of the United Kingdom on Thursday with visits to two schools in Ladbroke Grove, London, where she inspired students from the vibrant Saint Lucian community in the area. This wraps up a whirlwind week for Alfred, who has been actively promoting St. Lucia in her new role as the island’s Tourism Ambassador.
Alfred’s day began at St. Mary’s Primary School, where students, aged 5 to 11, welcomed her with a special assembly and a hymn, creating a warm, uplifting start to the visit. Alfred gave an inspiring talk to the young audience, sharing her journey from her small Caribbean island to the Olympic podium, and then answered questions from eager students about her achievements and what it’s like to be an Olympian.
The visit continued at All Saints Catholic College, a secondary school for students aged 11 to 17, where Alfred joined a Physical Education lesson, offering insights into the training and challenges that helped shape her career. Following a tour of the school, she participated in an assembly featuring the school’s steel pan band, answering students' questions on her historic gold-medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her excitement about her new ambassadorial role.
Alfred was joined by acclaimed British Saint Lucian author Laura Henry-Allain, the Mayor of the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and His Excellency the High Commissioner for Saint Lucia, adding to the event's significance for the local community.
Reflecting on her week-long UK tour, Alfred shared, “It’s been quite the week. On Saturday I met with other ambassadors from Asia and Africa with His Excellency the High Commissioner. On Sunday I met my people, St Lucians in the UK, on Monday I spoke to media about my new role and then it was World Travel Market. To see all the countries around the world being represented was quite something. It’s been an honour to use my platform to help promote my island.”
Alfred’s ambassadorship follows her incredible success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she became the 100m champion, making history for St. Lucia. Now, with her UK commitments complete, Alfred will return her focus to preparing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where she will aim to continue her stellar track record.
Alfred’s UK tour has not only strengthened ties with the St Lucian community in the UK but also highlighted the island on a global stage, underscoring her dedication to her role as an ambassador both on and off the track.
Julien Alfred reveals she almost withdrew from Olympics due to pressure
Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who rose to global fame this summer by winning gold in the 100 metres at the Paris Olympic Games, has revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that she nearly withdrew from the Games due to the intense pressure she felt after a standout performance earlier in the year. The 23-year-old, who clocked an impressive 10.72 seconds to claim her title as the world's fastest woman, shared her journey through the mental and physical challenges she faced leading up to her historic win.
Reflecting on her victory at the Stade de France, Alfred said, “I remember screaming so loud and bursting into tears just knowing all my hard work and sacrifice has paid off and knowing how hard it was to get to that point in my career. All I could do was just cry.”
However, after winning gold in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year, Alfred admitted she felt overwhelming pressure to continue delivering exceptional performances. “I put so much pressure on myself after the World Indoors that I have to deliver every single time,” she said. “My coach took me off the track, took me out of competition so I can just focus on my mental health and my physical health as well.”
The expectation to perform at her peak weighed heavily on Alfred, especially as she took on the role of a trailblazer for St. Lucia. “That was such a hard time for me where I felt like there’s no way I’m going to continue, there’s no way I feel like I have the mental capacity to go to the line again and to represent my country,” she admitted. “Suddenly I got more attention, especially after winning the World Indoors, that I was not used to. I'm just so used to doing well and going back to my shell where I just work on the little things and then go back on the line whenever I have to again.”
Despite the struggle, Alfred overcame the pressure, becoming not only St. Lucia’s first Olympic gold medalist but also securing silver in the 200m three days later, marking her country’s first two Olympic medals. Known affectionately as “Ju Ju” back home, Alfred returned to the track determined to make her nation proud, sharing the podium with American stars Sha’carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson.
During her time in the UK as St. Lucia's Tourism Ambassador, Alfred has embraced her role as a national icon. She represented her country at the World Tourism Market and visited schools to inspire young students, encouraging the next generation to pursue their dreams.
Olympic champion Julien Alfred engages officials and the public as St Lucia's tourism ambassador at World Travel Market in London
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia made a celebrated appearance at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, engaging with members of the travel industry and the general public as Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador. Alfred, who earned the ambassadorial role in September following her historic gold medal win in the 100m at the Paris Olympics in August, has been the face of Saint Lucia’s tourism efforts in London since her arrival last weekend.
At just 23 years old, Alfred has quickly become an icon for Saint Lucia, not only as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist but also as a silver medalist in the 200m. Her presence at WTM, the premier global event for the travel industry, has drawn significant interest. The event, which has been held annually for over 40 years, attracts approximately 45,000 attendees from more than 150 countries, providing a platform for key players in the tourism sector to connect, share ideas, and foster business relationships.
Over the past two days, Alfred has been actively involved in WTM activities, meeting with travel industry professionals and the general public. Her role as Tourism Ambassador allows her to promote Saint Lucia, emphasizing the island’s rich culture, vibrant heritage, and unique travel experiences. Her interactions have aimed to inspire new interest in Saint Lucia as a premier Caribbean destination, leveraging her global recognition as an Olympic champion.
As Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador, Alfred has embraced her role with enthusiasm, and her appearance at WTM underscores her commitment to representing her homeland on the world stage.
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