Antigua and Barbuda’s National Hero and iconic West Indies batsman, Sir Vivian Richards, has hailed the accomplishments of St. Lucia's Julien Alfred and Dominica's Thea LaFond at the just-concluded Paris Olympic Games.

In fact, Richards, while sharing his excitement about the athletes' achievements, believes their historic feats are something that the entire Caribbean should be proud of, especially given the fact that both are from tiny islands with a combined population of 250,000.

“We all should be proud, and I feel like I am them [athletes] on the podium too, because you can feel it [the pride] when they hold their hearts. This is just a special time, and you have to big them up because it’s huge, especially coming from small territories as we do at times, and being able to make an impact in the world, and you have the world media saying beautiful things about you; there is no better feeling,” Richards said on the Good Morning Jojo sports show.

Alfred, 23, won gold in the women’s 100m in 10.72s, beating American Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning World Champion, who was heavily favoured to take the race. The feat delivered St. Lucia’s first ever Olympic medal, before Alfred added another when she placed second in the 200m in 22.08s

Prior to Alfred's feat, LaFond again etched her name in history books for Dominica when she won triple jump gold with a leap of 15.02m. That was her country's first ever Olympic Games medal.

The accomplishments of both Alfred and LaFond followed their exploits at the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year, where they also won their respective events.

St. Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred continued her brilliant showing at the Paris Games with silver in the final of the Women’s 200m at the Stade de France on Monday.

The 23-year-old recovered from a less than ideal start with a strong finish to cross the line second in 22.08.

Gold went to American Gabby Thomas who ran 21.82 while another American, Brittany Brown, took bronze in 22.20.

Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita ran 22.22 and 22.23, respectively for fourth and fifth while Nigeria’s Favour Ofili ran 22.24 in sixth.

American McKenzie Long (22.42) and Ivory Coast’s Jessika Gbai (22.70) rounded out the top eight.

St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred, the reigning 100m Olympic champion, continues her stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning her heat in the semifinals of the Women’s 200m. Alfred clocked an impressive time of 21.98 seconds, securing her place in the final with the second fastest overall time. With USA’s Gabrielle Thomas clocking the fastest time, winning her heat in 21.86 seconds.

Meanwhile, in heat two, Jamaica's Niesha Burgher finished seventh in 22.64 seconds and received a penalty for a first-lane infringement. Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands finished eighth heat one, clocking 22.70 seconds. In heat three, Jamaica's Lanae-Tava Thomas finished seventh in 22.77 seconds.

Despite their incredible efforts, Burgher, Hodge, and Thomas did not make it to the finals ranking 12th,17th,18th respectively.

The women's 200m final is scheduled for August 6, with Julien Alfred representing the Caribbean and looking to add another Olympic medal to her haul. Fans and supporters eagerly await what promises to be an exciting race.

In a moment of unprecedented triumph for St Lucia, Julien Alfred captured the island's first-ever Olympic medal with a stunning victory in the women's 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Racing in driving rain, Alfred clocked a sensational 10.72 seconds, setting a new national record and defeating world champion Sha'Carri Richardson and her American teammate Melissa Jefferson.

The jubilation was palpable across St Lucia as citizens gathered at multiple watch parties to witness this historic achievement.

To ensure widespread access to this historic moment, the government organized the parties for the expectant citizenry to cheer their heroine on. “What happened is that we set up four locations because we really wanted people to have it at their convenience. The population of Castries has dwindled over the years as people have moved to the outskirts so we had a watch party in Soufrière, in my constituency of Gros Islet, we had in Ciceron, which is her home community, we had a watch party there as well. So, we really had it spread throughout St Lucia and in the South we had it at the View Fort Square,” said Sports Minister Kenson Casimir, who also articulated the collective elation of the nation in the wake of Alfred's landmark win.

"We are ecstatic! We are beyond description right now in terms of what was just achieved as a people," Casimir exclaimed. “Winning an Olympic medal whether it be gold, silver or bronze, a lot of the time the rhetoric is that Julien Alfred won or that sort of thing, the conversation now begins to circle around St Lucia winning a gold medal and this is why there was always a siren call for Corporate St Lucia and other individuals to get involved.

“First National Bank in St Lucia did an awesome job in sponsoring Julien and other athletes and our island championships on the weekend so we have seen the fruits of all what was put in place for our athletes to really thrive.”

Casimir also highlighted his personal pride as the first sports minister under whose tenure St Lucia has won an Olympic gold. "As the first sports minister to bring home a gold for St Lucia, I am absolutely elated."

Reflecting on Alfred's previous accomplishments, including her World Indoor 60m title in Glasgow in March, Casimir hinted at an even grander celebration to come. "Absolutely! It is going to be out of this world; colossal. We've always believed that Julien was special, and she deserves all the credit for her hard work, both mentally and physically. We are really just excited to see what’s next for her.”

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."

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.

Julien Alfred made history, becoming the first athlete from St. Lucia to win an Olympic gold medal in the women's 100m at the Paris Olympic Games on Saturday.

In a stunning display of speed and determination, Alfred crossed the finish line first, and, much like she did when she copped the World Indoor title earlier this year, etched her name into the annals of Olympic history, bringing immense pride to her island nation.

On a cool, and wet evening at the Stade de France, Alfred, running from lane six, delivered a performance that will be remembered for generations. The 23-year-old’s explosive start and powerful finish left competitors in her wake, as she clocked a National Record of 10.72s in a negative 0.1 metres per second wind reading.

After crossing the line, Alfred raised her arms in triumph but later burst into tears, overwhelmed by the magnitude of her achievement. She is now the third Caribbean sprinter to win the title after Jamaicans Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, but more importantly, Alfred also ensured that the women's 100m gold goes to a Caribbean representative for a fifth Olympic Games.

The American duo of Sha’Carri Richardson (10.87s) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92s) took silver and bronze. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (11.04s) had a slight stumble early and was left back in seventh.

With decorated Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce disappointedly pulling out of the women’s 100m semi-finals at the last minute, her compatriot Tia Clayton and St Lucia’s Julien Alfred are left to represent the Caribbean in the finals, as both easily progressed at the Stade de France on Saturday.

In what is her final Olympic Games, Fraser-Pryce, who boasts a rich legacy as one of, if not the greatest female sprinter of all time, was expected to end this chapter of her career on a high. However, after arriving in the call room, the 37-year-old, who has had her struggles with injuries this season, was later seen heading back to the warm-up area, and news of her withdrawal sent ripples through the track and field community.

While Fraser-Pryce’s competitors' respect and admiration for her is evident, they had to focus on their own task at hand in the hunt for Olympic glory.

In her absence, St Lucia’s stalwart Alfred finished tops in semi-final two, as she got away well from lane six and was not for catching. She won in 10.84s, ahead of American World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson (10.89s), who closed late.

Jamaica’s rising sensation Tia Clayton, now viewed by many as a proverbial ‘dark horse’ in the event, won semi-final three in 10.89s, pulling Great Britain’s Daryll Neita (10.97s) with her. American Twanisha Terry (11.07s) was third and progressed as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers. Trinidad and Tobago's Leah Bertrand (11.37s) was ninth.

Earlier, American Melissa Jefferson topped semi-final one in 10.99s, with Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith (11.01s) closing fast to take the second automatic qualifying spot. Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji (11.05s) got the other non-automatic qualifying spot.

Jamaica’s Shashalee Forbes (11.20s) was sixth.

The final is scheduled for 2:20pm Jamaica time.

The semifinals of the women’s 100m at the Paris Olympics will provide some of the most anticipated battles of the athletics programme.

With all the projected medal contenders successfully making it through the heats on Friday, the fields for Saturday’s semifinals have been set with a monumental clash set to take place in the second semifinal between three of the fastest women on earth.

The second semifinal will see Jamaica’s three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce lining up against American reigning World champion and current world leader Sha’Carri Richardson as well as St. Lucian reigning World Indoor 60m champion and 2023 Bowerman Award winner Julien Alfred.

Fraser-Pryce was the fastest of the three in Friday’s heats with her 10.92 to finish second behind Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith in the eighth and final heat.

Richardson ran 10.94 to win the first heat while Alfred won the second heat in 10.95.

The rest of the field for semifinal two includes Gina Bass-Bittaye, Rosemary Chukwuma, Bree Masters, Patrizia Van de Weken, Imani Lansiquot and Gladymar Torres.

Jamaica’s Shashalee Forbes will contest the first semifinal against the likes of Ta Lou-Smith, who was fastest in the heats with her 10.87, 2019 World 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith and World Indoor Championships 60m silver medallist Ewa Swoboda. Zaynab Dosso, Rani Rosius, Melissa Jeffferson, Mujinga Kambundji and Boglarka Takacs complete the field in that semifinal.

Jamaica’s Tia Clayton and Trinidad & Tobago’s Leah Bertrand will contest the third semifinal. That field is completed by Daryll Neita, Audrey Leduc, TeeTee Terry, Karolina Manasova, Zoe Hobbs, Gina Lueckenkemper and Delphine Nkansa.

The top two from each semifinal will advance to the final along with the next two fastest times.

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

As expected, all the main protagonists from the Caribbean booked spots in the women’s 100m semi-finals as the athletics portion of the Paris Olympic Games got under way at Stade de France on Friday.

The Caribbean women, led by the legendary Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, all safely navigated their respective heats with contrasting performances.

Though she placed second in the eighth and final heat in 10.92s, Fraser-Pryce, in her final appearance at the global multi-sport event, was the fastest of the Caribbean representatives. The 37-year-old was only bettered by Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, who clocked a season-best 10.87s to win that heat.

Germany’s Gina Lueckenkemper (11.08s) was third. The quality of Fraser-Pryce and Ta Lou-Smith was highlighted by the fact that the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers—Rani Rosius (11.12s) of Belgium and Puerto Rico’s Gladymar Torres, with a national record of 11.12s—came from that final heat.

Earlier, St. Lucia’s standout Julien Alfred comfortably topped heat two in 10.95s, ahead of New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs (11.08s) and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso (11.30s). The other Caribbean ladies, Michelle-Lee Ahye (11.33s) of Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba’s Yunisleidy Garcia Abreu (11.37s), placed fourth and fifth in the same heat and missed out on semi-final spots.

Prior to that, Tristan Evelyn (11.55s) of Barbados failed to progress, as she placed sixth in heat one. The heat was won by American World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson in 10.94s, ahead of Patrizia van der Weken (11.14s) of Luxembourg and Australia’s Bree Masters (11.26s).

Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Daryll Neita, with a season’s best 10.92s, led qualifiers from heat three. American Melissa Jefferson (10.96s) and Hungary’s Boglarka Takacs, who clocked a national record of 11.10s, also progressed.

Jamaica’s debutant Tia Clayton did what was required to advance, as she placed second in heat four in 11.00s. Canada’s Audrey Leduc won in a national record of 10.95s, while Great Britain’s Imani Lansiquot (11.10s) also advanced.

Heat five was won by Poland’s Ewa Swoboda in a season’s best 10.99s, ahead of Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (11.01s) and Rosemary Chukwuma (11.26s).

The Caribbean duo of Jamaica’s Shashalee Forbes (11.19s), who replaced Shericka Jackson, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Leah Bertrand (11.27s) safely progressed to the semi-finals after placing second and third in heat six. American Twanisha Terry (11.15s) won the event, while Zahria Allers-Liburd (11.89s) of St. Kitts and Nevis, who ran the preliminary round earlier in the day, finished out of contention in eighth.

Grenada’s Halle Hazzard (11.70s), who progressed from the preliminary round an hour early, failed to repeat the feat as she placed eighth in heat seven. Gambia’s Miriam Bass Bittaye (11.01s) won that heat ahead of Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji (11.05s) and Delphine Nkansa (11.20s).

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, St Lucia finds itself on the brink of a historic milestone. The island nation, which first participated in the Olympics at the 1996 Atlanta Games, has yet to secure its first Olympic medal. However, this summer's games offer a unique opportunity for Saint Lucia to rewrite its Olympic history.

 St Lucia's journey in the Olympics began with the establishment of their National Olympic Committee on January 22, 1987, which received official recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September 1993. Since their debut in Atlanta in 1996, St Lucia has competed in every subsequent Olympic Games, displaying their emerging talents on the global stage.

 The island's first Olympic team in 1996 consisted of six members who competed in athletics and sailing. The athletics team included Michelle Baptiste, Ivan Jn. Marie, Maxwell Seales, Dominic Johnson, and Maxime Charlemagne, with Andrew Magloire serving as manager/coach. Michael Greene led the sailing team, with Michael Gordon as manager/coach and Abigail Williams as chef de mission.

 Greene, the oldest athlete at 42, made history as the first to represent St Lucia in the men's laser event on July 23. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Michelle Baptiste, the lone female athlete and flag bearer, competed in the 100m and long jump, representing her country with pride despite not advancing to the finals.

Levern Spencer

 St Lucia has continued to send athletes to the Olympics, with notable performances along the way. In the 2012 London Olympics, a team of four competed in athletics, sailing, and swimming. The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics saw a team of five participate in these same sports. High jumper Levern Spencer stands out as a remarkable athlete for the island nation. A four-time Olympian, Spencer came tantalizingly close to winning the country's first medal in 2016, finishing sixth in the high jump with a clearance of 1.93m.

 As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, St Lucia's hopes are pinned on a talented team led by World Indoor champion for the women’s 60m dash, Julien Alfred. Alfred's speed and determination make her a strong contender for a medal. Michael Joseph will compete in the men’s 400m, sailor Luc Chevrier will represent the island in the men’s dinghy, and swimmer Jayhan Odlum Smith will contest the men’s 100m freestyle. Leading Team St Lucia as Chef De Mission is former national athlete Helena Renee-Emmanuel.

 The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games provide Saint Lucia with another chance to shine on the world stage. With a talented and determined team, the island nation is poised to make history. As St Lucia aims for its first Olympic medal, the excitement and anticipation build, offering a glimmer of hope for a historic achievement in Paris.

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.

British World Championship silver medallist signaled his intent to go one better at the Paris Olympics with a brilliant performance to win the 400m at the London Diamond League on Saturday.

In his home stadium, Hudson-Smith, whose mother hails from Hanover in Jamaica, covered the field in the first 300m before showcasing his endurance and strength in the last 100m on his way to a new personal best, national record and world leading 43.74, his first time under 44 seconds.

American Vernon Norwood ran a personal best 44.10 in second while Trinidadian Jereem Richards scaled to new heights in the event with a personal best of his own, 44.18, in third.

Signaling the speed on display in the race, Britain’s Charlie Dobson ran a personal best 44.23 in fourth while Olympic and World champion Kirani James’ season’s best 44.38 was only good enough for fifth.

The women’s 200m saw St. Lucian Commonwealth Games 100m silver medallist Julien Alfred produce a personal best and national record 21.86 for second.

American Olympic bronze medallist Gabby Thomas won in a meet record 21.82 while British 2019 World Champion Dina Asher-Smith was third in a season’s best 22.07.

The women’s 800m saw multiple time World Championship and Olympic finalist Natoya Goule-Toppin run a season’s best 1:56.83 for fourth.

Great Britain swept the top three spots led by World Championship silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson’s personal best, national record and world leading 1:54.61. Jemma Reekie was second in a personal best 1:55.61 while Georgia Bell also ran a personal best 1:56.28 in third.

Several Caribbean athletics stars, including Ackeem Blake, Rushell Clayton, Julien Alfred, Nickisha Pryce, and Natoya Goule-Topping, are set to finalize their Olympic preparations at the highly anticipated Diamond League meeting in London on Saturday, July 20.

Blake will compete in the men’s 100m event, facing world 100m and 200m champion Noah Lyles, who last raced at the US Olympic Trials, clinching both titles. He will also face Botswana's versatile sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who finished second to Lyles in both events at last year’s World Championships. Other notable entrants include world bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, South Africa’s Akani Simbine, and Britain’s Jeremiah Azu.

Alfred from Saint Lucia will compete in the women’s 200m, going up against world leader Gabby Thomas, fresh off her US Trials win with a time of 21.78. Alfred will face a star-studded field, including 2019 world champion Dina Asher-Smith, Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke, and European silver medallist Daryll Neita. This race is set to be one of the highlights of the meet.

 Clayton will take on the women’s 400m hurdles, competing alongside fellow Jamaican Shiann Salmon against a strong line-up led by world champion Femke Bol, who recently set a new European record of 50.95. USA’s Shamier Little is also among the competitors, promising a thrilling race as they all look to sharpen their form ahead of the Olympics.

Pryce, who set a national record of 48.89 in winning the NCAA title, will make her Diamond League debut in the women’s 400m. She will be challenged by Poland’s European champion Natalia Kaczmarek, world indoor silver medallist Lieke Klaver, and Britain’s Amber Anning.

Meanwhile, Goule-Toppin, the Jamaican record-holder in the women’s 800m, will compete against world and Olympic silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson, who has been undefeated this year. The line-up includes world indoor silver medallist Jemma Reekie, Olympic 1500m silver medallist Laura Muir, and 2019 world champion Halimah Nakaayi.

As these Caribbean stars and other top athletes from around the world compete in London, fans can expect an exciting preview of the performances to come at the Paris Olympics.

St Lucia's sprint sensation, Julien Alfred, delivered a powerful performance at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on Friday, solidifying her status as a top contender for the 100m medals at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Alfred clinched victory in the women's 100m with an impressive time of 10.85 seconds, finishing ahead of Tamari Davis and Dina Asher-Smith, who both clocked 10.99 seconds.

 Reflecting on her race, Alfred shared, "I was specially prepared today not to make a mistake and to just focus on myself and my own race. I felt great during the race but now my legs hurt a bit because I did a heavy training. Of course, I cannot complain right now, as I am taking home the Diamond League win. I am getting better with each race, I run more relaxed as well. I feel confident. I know that all I need to do is to trust my coach and to trust myself. The coach knows what is best for me. I really love this Monaco crowd and the introduction of the event with the lights. I will get back to practice and just focus for my preparations for Paris."

 Alfred's victory is a clear indication of her growing form and confidence as she heads towards the Olympic Games. Her ability to perform under pressure and continue improving with each race makes her a strong contender for the podium in Paris.

 Cuba's Leyanis Perez Hernandez emerged victorious in the women's triple jump with a leap of 14.96m. She edged out Dominica's Thea LaFond, who jumped 14.87m, and Ukraine's Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, who recorded 14.81m. Notably, Jamaican athletes Shanieka Ricketts and Ackelia Smith finished fourth and fifth with jumps of 14.67m and 14.30m, respectively.

 Botswana's Letsile Tebogo dominated the men's 200m, winning in 19.87 seconds. Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic finished second in 20.02 seconds, while Uganda's Gracious Tarsis Orogot took third in 20.32 seconds. Matthew Hudson placed fourth with a time of 20.43 seconds.

 In an epic showdown in the men's 400m hurdles, USA's Rai Benjamin triumphed over Olympic champion Karsten Warholm, clocking a blazing 46.67 seconds. Warholm finished a close second in 46.73 seconds, with Brazil's Alison dos Santos taking third in 47.18 seconds. Jamaica's Malik James-King also impressed, running a fast 47.73 seconds despite hitting hurdles nine and 10, which slowed his momentum.

 USA's Quincy Hall delivered a world-leading and lifetime best performance in the men's 400m, winning in a commanding 43.80 seconds. Fellow American Vernon Norwood finished second with a season's best 44.34 seconds, while South Africa's Lythe Pillay took third in 44.58 seconds.

 Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland was a dominant winner in the women's 400m, clocking 49.17 seconds. Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands finished second with a lifetime best of 49.64 seconds, and Kendall Ellis of the USA took third in 50.39 seconds.

 The Monaco Diamond League meeting showcased some of the world's best athletic talents, setting the stage for an exciting build-up to the Olympic Games in Paris. With performances like Julien Alfred's and others, the anticipation for the upcoming Olympics continues to grow.