Several Caribbean athletes advanced in their respective events during the preliminary rounds of the 200m, 110m hurdles, and long jump events on Sunday. Following her historic 100m victory on Saturday, Julien Alfred of St Lucia demonstrated her intention to achieve a sprint double with a commanding performance in the opening heat of the 200m, winning in an impressive 22.41 seconds.

Despite Alfred's strong showing, the fastest time of the round belonged to American gold medal favourite Gabby Thomas, who triumphed in Heat 2 with a blistering 22.20 seconds.

Jamaica, reeling from the last-minute withdrawal of two-time world champion Shericka Jackson, saw its remaining 200m entrants advance to the semi-finals. Niesha Burgher secured her spot by finishing second in Heat 2 with a time of 22.54 seconds. Lanae-Tava Thomas also progressed, placing second in Heat 5 with a time of 22.70 seconds, behind the USA’s Brittany Brown, who won the heat in 22.38 seconds.

In the 110m hurdles, all three of Jamaica’s representatives advanced to the semi-finals. Orlando Bennett led the way with a time of 13.35 seconds, finishing second in his heat. Rasheed Broadbell also secured a second-place finish in his heat, clocking 13.42 seconds. Olympic champion Hansle Parchment faced a tense wait after finishing fifth in his heat with a time of 13.43 seconds but advanced as a non-automatic qualifier. Additionally, Antoine Andrews of the Bahamas impressed by advancing with a time of 13.35 seconds.

The men’s long jump saw mixed results for Jamaica. Wayne Pinnock and Carey McLeod both qualified for the finals, with Pinnock achieving a mark of 7.96m and McLeod reaching 7.90m. However, 2019 World Champion Tajay Gayle was unable to advance, his best jump being 7.78m.

Julien Alfred said she was inspired by Usain Bolt after claiming a historic Olympic medal in the women's 100m sprint final on Saturday. 

Alfred, who became Saint Lucia's first ever Olympic medallist, finished ahead of reigning world champion Sha'Carri Richardson with a time of 10.72 seconds to win gold.

She announced herself at the start of this Olympic year by winning world indoor 60m gold, also a first by an athlete from St Lucia. 

The 23-year-old had previously won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and improved steadily throughout the season and set a new personal best 10.78 in June. 

Alfred will now prepare for the 200m in a bid to create more history for her nation, hoping to emulate Jamaica's Bolt, who won eight gold medals at three different Games.

"Usain Bolt won so many medals, I went back this morning and watched his races," said Alfred. I'm not going to lie, it was all Usain Bolt's races this morning."

Melissa Jefferson claimed the final podium place, with Great Britain's Daryll Neita finishing four-hundredths of a second behind, the best finish by a British female athlete in an Olympic sprint final for 64 years. 

"I'm finding it hard to find words at the minute, literally speechless, so close to the medal, so close," Neita told BBC Sport.

"I'm healthy and I have the 200m to contest. I was so close to that medal and I really want that medal but fourth in the Olympics is something to be proud of."

Fellow compatriots Dina Asher-Smith and Imani-Lara Lansiquot failed to reach the final, with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrawing from the competition before her semi-final.

Asher-Smith finished fifth in her semi-final in 11.10 and Lansiquot missed out after running 11.21.

"I'm just disappointed because I'm in great shape and have been in great shape all season. I fully expected to make that final, the race wasn't even fast," Asher-Smith told BBC Sport.

"I know I'm in a lot better shape than that. I just go on to the 200m, but again I'm fully disappointed. I should have made that."

In a turn of events that has left Jamaican athletics fans reeling, two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson is a late withdrawal from the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This news comes on the heels of another significant setback for Jamaica, with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrawing from the 100m semi-finals just the day before.

Jackson, who sustained an injury while running the 200m at the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary on July 9, had been hoping to recover in time to compete in Paris. She withdrew from the 100m event 48 hours before its start on Friday, focusing her efforts on being fit for her favoured event, the 200m. However, hopes were dashed on Sunday when it was announced that Jackson would not be competing in the 200m.

This withdrawal is a significant blow to Jamaica's medal prospects at the Paris Games. With both Jackson and Fraser-Pryce out of contention, Jamaica failed to secure a medal in the women’s 100m for the first time in over 30 years. The last time Jamaica did not medal in 100m at the Olympics was in Seoul in 1988.

The absence of Jackson leaves a heavy burden on the shoulders of Niesha Burgher and Lanae-Tava Thomas to deliver for Jamaica in the 200m.

In an unexpected turn of events at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the 100m semi-finals on Saturday, ending her bid for a record-extending fifth Olympic medal in the event.

The news broke minutes before the highly anticipated race, which included medal favourites, Julien Alfred, the eventual gold medal winner and World Champion Sha'Carri Richardson, who won silver. While unconfirmed reports suggest Fraser-Pryce sustained an injury during her warm-up, the exact details remain unclear.

The 37-year-old Fraser-Pryce, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 100m from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games, has had an illustrious career marked by consistency and excellence. She is the only woman in history to win medals in the 100m at four consecutive Olympic Games, a testament to her enduring talent and determination.

In what was set to be her final Olympic 100m appearance, Fraser-Pryce's withdrawal was a significant blow to her fans and supporters worldwide. However, in a heartfelt statement, she expressed her deep gratitude to those who have supported her throughout her remarkable career.

"It is difficult for me to find the words to even describe the depth of my disappointment. I know that my supporters share and shoulder this disappointment with me. I am truly Blessed to have had the steadfast support of my fans since my Olympic debut in 2008,” she said.

“The support of my fans, my country, and the larger community has rooted me in immense gratitude that has sustained me over the course of my career. With every step, with every win, you all have been there for me. My Faith has always affirmed me to trust my journey. Thank you for continuing to be with me today and every day."

Fraser-Pryce's statement reflects her profound appreciation for the support she has received from her fans, her country, and the global athletics community. Her career, marked by numerous accolades and groundbreaking achievements, has inspired countless individuals and cemented her legacy as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

In addition to her two Olympic gold medals, Fraser-Pryce's illustrious career includes five 100m World Championship titles and a 200m title, as well as a silver medal in the 200m at the London 2012 Olympics and a 200m silver at the World Championships in Oregon in 2022. Her accomplishments on the world stage have solidified her status as a true icon in the sport of track and field.

As the athletics world comes to terms with the end of Fraser-Pryce's Olympic career, her words serve as a reminder of the challenges and unpredictability inherent in sports. Her journey, characterized by resilience and faith, continues to inspire, and her legacy will undoubtedly endure, regardless of the outcome of a single race.

While her quest for a fifth Olympic 100m medal may have ended prematurely, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's impact on the sport and her indomitable spirit remains as powerful as ever.

United States coach Steve Kerr wants to see higher levels from his team in the knockout stage of their Paris Olympics campaign.

Team USA stayed perfect by beating Puerto Rico 104-83 on Saturday, ensuring they sealed the top seed for the last eight.

That means the four-time reigning Olympic champions will take on the seventh seed, Brazil, for a place in the semi-finals.

Anthony Edwards led the USA with 26 points, while Joel Embiid chipped in with 15 and Kevin Durant delivered another fine substitute performance, scoring 11 points from the bench.

And while the USA have tallied up 317 points in their three wins so far, Kerr believes there is much more to come.

"I think we got done what we wanted to accomplish, winning all three games and securing the top seed," said Kerr.

"We know we have to play better. Part of this tournament is it gets harder as you go."

LeBron James added 10 points for the star-studded USA, and he knows it is now do-or-die.

"We know it's going to be difficult, it's going to be challenging," he said. "We better be ready to go."

In Group C's other game, Nikola Jokic scored 22 points and finished with 13 rebounds, while Bogdan Bogdanovic had 28 points, as Serbia saw off South Sudan 96-85.

While Serbia clinched the fourth seed to set up a meeting with Australia, South Sudan's inaugural Olympics campaign is over, with Greece scraping in as one of the two best third-placed teams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's team will take on second seed Germany, who like the USA, won their three group games.

Remco Evenepoel celebrated in stylish fashion as he recovered from a last-gasp puncture to triumph in the men's road race.

Evenepoel won the gold medal in the men's time trial last week, and the Belgian made history on Saturday.

The 24-year-old roared to success in Paris after dropping France's Valentin Madouas with around 15km left.

And he even had to survive a late scare as he sustained a puncture as he passed through the iconic Louvre.

A swift change of bikes, though, and Evenepoel recovered to cruise to victory, passing under the Eiffel Tower and celebrating on the line by placing his bike in front of him and holding out his arms.

It was a picture-perfect finish to a stunning race, as he became the first man to win both road events at the same Games.

"What a place to win this," he said. 

"Honestly, I feel sick, from the effort, it was a pretty hard day out there. I'm so proud to win this and be the first ever to win the double. It's history, no?

"I started the year with that celebration, so I knew that the Eiffel Tower was in the background, so I wanted to do it. I think it's going to be a great picture."

Katie Ledecky tied level with gymnastics great Larisa Latynina by winning her ninth gold at the Olympics.

Ledecky claimed gold in Saturday's 800-metre freestyle final, edging out Ariarne Titmus with a time of eight minutes, 11 seconds.

In the process, she equalled Latynina's tally of nine golds, the record for a female athlete at the Games.

The 27-year-old has won 14 medals overall at the Olympics, four shy of Latynina's record (18).

Four of those medals have come in Paris.

Ledecky won the 1500m freestyle, took silver in the 4x200m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Dominica’s Thea LaFond etched herself in her country’s history books forever by winning Olympic gold in the women’s triple jump final at the Paris Olympics at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The 30-year-old produced a personal best and national record 15.02m in the second round to claim her country’s first ever Olympic medal.

She opened her competition with 14.32m in the first round before producing her gold medal-winning effort a few minutes later. From rounds three to five, the reigning World Indoor champion produced distances of 14.46m, 14.12m and 14.43m before passing on her final effort with gold already secured.

Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts secured silver, her country’s first ever Olympic medal in the event, with a best distance of 14.87m, her best jump of the season.

The 32-year-old had three legal jumps in her series, 14.61m in round one, 14.87m in round two and 14.73m in the final round.

American Jasmine Moore took bronze with a season’s best 14.67m.

Julien Alfred claimed a historic Olympic medal for Saint Lucia as she powered to a stunning victory in the women's 100m sprint in Paris.

Saturday's race was shorn of a global superstar when Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the five-time world and two-time Olympic 100m champion, withdrew.

Yet Alfred delivered the star power at the Stade de France with a fantastic effort, as she cruised to victory in 10.72 seconds.

In the process, the 23-year-old claimed the first Olympic medal for Saint Lucia.

Alfred finished ahead of Sha'Carri Richardson, the reigning world champion.

Melissa Jefferson, Richardson's American compatriot, crossed in third, ahead of Great Britain's Daryll Neita.

Despite producing only two legal throws, national record holder Rajindra Campbell made history in the Men’s shot put final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, becoming the first Jamaican man to win an Olympic medal in a throwing event.

The 28-year-old began Saturday’s final at the Stade de France with a 20.00m in the first round before producing a brilliant 22.15m in the second round to move into second behind American World record holder and back-to-back Olympic champion Ryan Crouser who was leading with 22.69m.

In rainy conditions, Campbell was in the silver medal position before the sixth round when American Joe Kovacs produced 22.15m to move into second by virtue of his second-best throw, 21.71m, being better than Campbell’s.

The Jamaican had a throw in the sixth round that would’ve seen him reclaim silver had it not been a fourth foul in a row.

In the end, Campbell settled for bronze behind the two Americans. Crouser’s final winning distance was a season’s best 22.90m.

Spain came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Colombia before winning 4-2 on penalties in Saturday's Olympic quarter-final.

La Roja went into the clash in Lyon having enjoyed a perfect record at the Paris Games, but were on the brink of a shock exit when Leicy Santos put Colombia 2-0 up.

Santos' goal came after Mayra Ramirez had opened the scoring for Colombia at the Groupama Stadium.

Yet Spain fought back late on, with Jenni Hermoso scoring in the 79th minute before captain Irene Paredes netted deep into injury time.

Extra time came and went, and Cata Coll proved Spain's hero with a save from Catalina Usme, while Colombia substitute Liana Salazar also missed the target.

That paved the way for Aitana Bonmati, the Ballon d'Or winner, to dispatch the winning spot-kick and tee up a meeting with France or Brazil in the last four.

Data Debrief: Spain's quality inspires fightback

Despite creating fewer expected goals (xG) than their opponents, with 1.05 to Spain’s 2.52, Colombia showed real effectiveness in taking the chances that were presented to them.

They scored close-range goals from just four shots inside the area and seven in total, while they only had eight touches in the opposition box for the entirety of the 120+ minutes.

But Spain overwhelmed Colombia as the match wore on, as evidenced by a huge gulf when it came to final third entries, with 155 for La Roja to 26 for their opponents, while they also enjoyed 46 more touches in the opposition box than their opponents. 

Paredes was ultimately Spain's hero in regulation time. She has been involved in three goals in her last five games for her country (two goals and one assist), the same as in her previous 30 games in all competitions (two goals and one assist).

Three-time Olympic Gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and reigning World champion Sha’Carri Richardson were temporarily denied entry to the warm-up track at the Stade de France in Paris as they arrived to prepare for the semifinals and final of the Women’s 100m at the Paris Olympics on Saturday afternoon.

Video circulating on social media showed both Fraser-Pryce and Richardson waiting outside the gate to enter the facility as security officials denied them entry.

Both athletes reportedly arrived to the venue in private vehicles rather than the team shuttle provided by the organizers and were told they would have to get into the venue another way.

A second video showed Fraser-Pryce trying to make sense of the situation.

“She said they changed the rule yesterday. How can you change the rule and then not say? So, they’re asking all the athletes who, for whatever reason, don’t stay in the village, they can’t come through the gate?” Fraser-Pryce said.

“We came through this gate yesterday and went through security and were okay. The man said we have to go all the way up where everybody else is entering to come back down here. That’s crazy,” she added.

Fraser-Pryce and Richardson are expected to battle for gold in the 100m.

The semifinals are set to start at 12:50pm Jamaica Time (1:50pm EST) with the final scheduled for 2:20pm (3:20pm EST).

Qinwen Zheng claimed a historic victory over Donna Vekic at the Paris Olympics as she won gold in the women's singles.

China's Zheng, who ousted world number one and three-time reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek at Roland-Garros en route to the final, prevailed 6-2 6-3 in Saturday's final.

It makes the 21-year-old the first Asian-born player to win gold in the women's or men's singles at the Games since tennis was first introduced to the Olympics in 1896.

Zheng started the encounter fiercely, earning an early break in the second game and raced into a 3-0 lead on Court PhilippeChatrier. 

The world number seven would stay in cruise control for the remainder of the opener, seeing out her service games before ending the set with another break. 

Zheng threatened to take the match away from Vekic in double quick time as she again found a swift break of serve in the second set.

Croatia's Vekic responded well, though, hitting back by reeling off back-to-back games.

However, a break at the fourth time of asking to make it 5-3 proved decisive for Zheng, who duly served out to clinch gold.

Data Debrief: 

Zheng's triumph saw her become the second player to win the women's singles at the Olympics on clay after Jennifer Capriati (1992), since the sport's reintroduction to the Games in 1988.

She has now won 28 matches out of 36 (77.77) on the surface since the start of 23. Among players with 10+ matches played on clay in that time, only three have a better win percentage - Swiatek (91.7%), Elena Rybakina (85.2%) and Aryna Sabalenka (80.6%).

Zheng is the first Chinese player in the Open Era to claim a medal in the women's or men's singles at the Olympics, while she also joined an elite list of women to have reached the finals of the Olympics and the Australian Open in the same season. 

Steffi Graf (1988), Justine Henin (2004), Maria Sharapova (2012) and Angelique Kerber (2016) are the other players to have achieved that feat.

American star Simone Biles collected her third gold medal of the Paris Olympics as she triumphed in the vault final on Saturday.

Biles took her overall Olympics tally to seven gold medals as she recorded an average score of 15.300.

The 27-year-old, who withdrew from several events, including the vault, at Tokyo 2020, is now the third most decorated female gymnast in the history of the Olympics, with 10 medals to her name.

She will take part in the floor and beam finals on Monday, meaning she could overtake Vera Caslavska's tally of 11, won between 1960 and 1968. 

Larisa Latynina, with 18 golds, is the most successful female gymnast in Olympic history.

Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, who won gold in Tokyo three years ago, claimed silver, while Biles' team-mate Jade Carey took bronze.

Trinity Rodman's moment of magic in extra time was enough for the United States to see off Japan and progress to the Olympic semi-finals.

The two sides laboured in the first half, with Emma Hayes' team enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to create any meaningful chances at the Parc des Princes.

The USA improved after the break and their first decent opportunity arrived in the 63rd minute when Mallory Swanson exchanged a one-two before curling an effort just wide.

Rodman's influence grew as the game wore on, but it was Sophia Smith who had the best chance prior to the USA's winner, only for the 23-year-old to take too many touches when through on goal, allowing Ayaka Yamashita to close down the angle.

But as penalties approached, Rodman stepped up in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half of the additional 30 minutes, collecting Crystal Dunn’s pass before cutting inside and curling in an unstoppable shot.

Japan substitute Riko Ueki almost equalised from close range, but the USA were able to clear their lines and hold firm to tee up a semi-final against either Canada or Germany.

Data debrief: USA fail to convert possession into opportunities

Despite neither side creating much in the way of chances with the USA mustering an expected goals (xG) of 0.68 to Japan's 0.53, the Americans dominated the ball for large swathes of the match.

They had 71.3% possession, had more than double the passes and final third entries of Japan with 1,026 to 403 and 89 to 44 respectively.

But it ultimately took a moment of brilliance from Rodman to settle the contest. At 22 years and 75 days old, she is the youngest player to score an extra-time goal for the USWNT since Heather O'Reilly at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.