Jamaican 400m hurdles champion Rushell Clayton has revealed the deep disappointment she felt after failing to secure a medal at the Paris Olympics, despite entering the Games as one of the favorites. Clayton, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, had been in stellar form leading up to the event, clocking a lifetime best of 52.51 at the Jamaica National Championships in June. However, in the final in Paris, despite running her second-best time of the season—52.68—she finished fifth in a race dominated by American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who shattered her own world record with a time of 50.37.

The final was filled with incredible performances, as McLaughlin-Levrone's teammate Anna Cockrell ran a massive personal best of 51.87 to claim the silver medal. Meanwhile, the Netherlands' Femke Bol, who had been expected to challenge for the gold, finished third in 52.15, leaving Clayton just outside the medal positions.

Mere days following the race, Clayton took to Instagram to share her emotions, revealing that she shed tears of disappointment after coming up short in her quest for an Olympic medal. "It would be a lie to say that I am not sad walking away from the Olympic Games without a medal. (Mi bawl fi couple days)," Clayton admitted, expressing the depth of her feelings after the race.

Despite the disappointment, Clayton expressed gratitude for her performance and the journey she has been on this season. "I’m extremely grateful and thankful that I was able to run three solid races which is inclusive of my second and third fastest times ever. I ran that final with pure confidence and a big heart yet I fell short," she said.

Clayton reflected on how this year has been the best of her career, even as she dealt with the heartbreak of missing out on an Olympic podium finish. "It’s kinda crazy because I’ve been having the best year of my career," she wrote. "It was my utmost pleasure representing team Jamaica on the biggest stage ever."

However, she remains optimistic and determined to push forward, noting that with the hurt will also come happiness, and that she will continue to trust in the journey ahead. "If the hurt comes, so will happiness. I will forever exercise patience knowing that the Lord has my back always," she declared.

As she looks ahead to the rest of the season, Clayton expressed her appreciation for the support she has received from her fans and vowed to keep striving towards her goals. "Shout out to all y’all who sent me encouragement and love, it was felt and appreciated. I still got a hella races before the season ends and crazy goals to achieve. See you in a few days."

Clayton is now set to compete at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on August 22, where she will look to continue her impressive season and potentially add another highlight to what has already been a remarkable year.

Alex de Minaur has confirmed he will particpate in the US Open later this month despite withdrawing from the men's singles at the Paris Olympics. 

De Minaur sustained a hip injury against Arthur Fils at Wimbledon that forced him to withdraw from his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic. 

The Australian did still compete in the men's doubles at the Games alongside Alexei Popyrin, but lost in the first round to beaten finalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. 

De Minaur's best finish at Flushing Meadows came in 2020 when he reached the quarter-finals, losing to eventual champion Dominic Thiem in three sets. 

The world number 10 has also reached the same stage in his two grand slam appearances this year at the Australian Open and French Open. 

"Been working hard trying to recover from my injury," De Minaur wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

"It’s been very tough missing tournaments and excited to say I’ll be playing US open. Thanks to all the support I’ve gotten, it’s definitely helped me through these tough times."

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a historic moment for the English-speaking Caribbean, with athletes from the region delivering extraordinary performances that etched their names into Olympic history. This edition of the Games was particularly significant for several Caribbean nations, as they celebrated groundbreaking victories and shattered longstanding records, further solidifying the region's presence on the global stage.

St Lucia experienced a moment of immense national pride, as the island nation secured its first-ever Olympic medals in spectacular fashion. Julien Alfred became a household name after she clinched gold in the women’s 100m, blazing across the finish line in a remarkable 10.72 seconds, breaking her own national record and earning St Lucia its first Olympic gold. Alfred’s incredible speed nearly led her to a double triumph, but she settled for silver in the women’s 200m, clocking a commendable 22.08 seconds. These achievements not only catapulted Alfred into the spotlight but also marked a historic milestone for St Lucia, a small island nation now basking in the glory of its Olympic success.

Dominica also had its first taste of Olympic victory, thanks to the outstanding performance of Thea LaFond. Competing in the women’s triple jump, LaFond delivered a stunning leap of 15.02m, breaking the national record and securing Dominica’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. LaFond’s triumph in Paris resonated deeply within the nation, bringing joy and pride to Dominicans worldwide.

Grenada, a nation with a rich Olympic history, added to its growing medal tally with two more bronze medals. Anderson Peters, a seasoned javelin thrower, once again demonstrated his prowess by securing bronze in the men’s javelin throw with an impressive distance of 88.54m. Lindon Victor further bolstered Grenada’s standing with a hard-fought bronze in the men’s decathlon, excelling across 10 grueling events to earn his place on the podium.

It was the first time that the Spice Island had won multiple medals at the same Olympic Games. These achievements continued Grenada’s tradition of Olympic success, adding new chapters to the island’s storied athletic history.

Jamaica, a nation synonymous with sprinting dominance, experienced a shift in its Olympic narrative at the 2024 Games, with the majority of its six medals coming from field events. Roje Stona led the charge, breaking the Olympic record in the men’s discus throw with a colossal throw of 70.00m, securing Jamaica’s first and only gold medal of the Games. Wayne Pinnock contributed to the island’s medal haul with a silver in the men’s long jump, leaping an impressive 8.36m. Rajindra Campbell added to the field event success with a bronze in the men’s shot put, delivering a powerful throw of 22.15m.

Shanieka Ricketts also created history when she won the silver medal in the triple jump, securing Jamaica’s first ever medal in the field at an Olympic Games.

In addition to their field event successes, Jamaica’s sprinters also made their mark. Kishane Thompson, a rising star in the sprinting world, claimed silver in the men’s 100m with a blistering time of 9.79 seconds, a result determined by a photo finish that showcased the razor-thin margins of victory at the highest level.

 Rasheed Broadbell added to Jamaica’s sprinting legacy by earning a bronze in the 110m hurdles, clocking a season-best 13.09 seconds in another photo finish that highlighted the intense competition in Paris.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will be remembered as a landmark event for the Caribbean, where athletes from St Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and Jamaica not only created history but also underscored the region’s growing influence in global athletics. These remarkable performances brought immense pride to their nations and showcased the Caribbean’s burgeoning talent and determination on the world stage. As the athletes returned home, they carried with them not just medals, but also the hopes and dreams of their countries, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.

Bahamian Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg has congratulated Bahamian athletes on their performance at the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games.

For the first time in 36 years, the nation failed to win a medal at the Olympics but, nevertheless, Bowleg has offered his congratulations to those who represented the country at the global athletics showcase, noting how difficult it is to even qualify to participate.

“The Bahamas has a proud and storied history at the Olympics, and this year, our athletes continued to build on that rich tradition,” he said in a statement.

“While winning medals is often seen as the pinnacle of success, it’s crucial to recognize that qualifying for the Olympics is an extraordinary achievement in itself. Only a small percentage of athletes worldwide earn the chance to compete on this prestigious stage. Reaching this level is a testament to the unparalleled dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of our Bahamian athletes,” he added.

He continued, “becoming an Olympian is a monumental achievement in itself, regardless of whether one wins a medal. It reflects years of grit, sweat, hard work, and relentless training. Olympians are those who have earned the right to compete on the world’s most prestigious stage, displaying exceptional athletic prowess and representing the pinnacle of sportsmanship.”

Bowleg specially congratulated Devynne Charlton who finished sixth in the Women's 100m hurdles final. The World Indoor champion and record holder was the only Bahamian to advance to a final.

“She showed grit, determination, and true Bahamian spirit on that track. Keep shining and inspiring us all. Your journey is far from over.”

He also praised Charisma Taylor for reaching the semi-finals in the 100m hurdles and Denisha Cartwright, whom he said has a promising future.

The minister lauded swimmers Lamar Taylor and Rhanishka Gibbs for representing the nation in the aquatics events.

He also praised returning Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo, and made special mention of Ken Mullings, the first Bahamian decathlete, and Wayna McCoy, the first Bahamian to reach the 200m semi-final.

Also recognized by Bowleg was Mancer Roberts Sr, technical director of Bahamas Aquatics, as the first Bahamian to serve as one of 26 officials in the swimming competition.

He also noted that Bahamas Aquatics President Algernon Cargill presented medals to the 4x200m freestyle male relay winners, and former athlete Mike Sands presented medals to the men’s 400m and women’s triple jump finalists.

Half-Way-Tree has long been the heartbeat of Jamaican celebrations, where people gather to cheer on our athletes as they make their mark on the global stage.

This year, Digicel Jamaica partnered with fellow ‘red brands’, Red Stripe, Grace and KFC, to continue the tradition with even greater fanfare.

The weeklong initiative formed part of the digital operator’s ‘One Jamaica’ campaign, aimed at uniting Jamaicans in a collective show of support for the nation’s athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The Olympic Village brings us together as we continue to rise from the challenges of Hurricane Beryl,” said Chief Marketing Officer at Digicel Tari Lovell.

“Digicel was eager to be part of something truly special to rally unity and cheer on our athletes. In times of challenge and celebration, we stand together as One Jamaica, and this Olympic season is no exception,” he added.

Noah Williams has hailed Tom Daley as "an icon of the Olympics" after his Paris 2024 diving partner announced his retirement from the sport on Monday. 

Together, Daley and Williams won silver in the men's synchronised 10m platform at the Games in the French capital earlier this month. 

It marked Daley's fifth Olympic medal, following his gold in the same event alongside Matty Lee at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. 

Yet Williams believes Daley's impact has been seismic in diving and beyond. 

"He is literally an icon of the Olympics for Team GB. He is the one person who has transcended diving in my opinion," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"He's a massive activist for the gay community; he helps so many communities massively and has inspired so many people to take up not just diving, but sport in general.

"I will miss him in training, but I'm sure everyone will miss him competing and being around."

Daley first made the headlines competing at Beijing 2008 when he was just 14 years old. He came out in 2013 and has since been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

He returned to competitive diving for Paris 2024 after a two-year break, so his two sons could watch him compete.

For Williams, however, retirement may come much sooner. The 24-year-old won individual bronze in the men's 10m platform in addition to his silver with Daley in Paris.

Despite such success in this cycle, his participation at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 is not guaranteed.

“I'm not sure what I'm going to do, is the truth. I don't want to dive just because I'm good at it, because it does take a lot of mental energy, a big toll on you,” he said.

"I saw a lot of people saying, 'Tom's retiring? But he's only 30', but I don't think they realise that 30 is actually old in the world of diving.

"That's why, when he took two years out after Tokyo, no one was particularly shocked.

"Even though I'm 24, I'm not far off being too old to dive - which seems crazy."

Tom Daley has retired from diving after winning his fifth Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

Competing alongside Noah Williams, Daley claimed silver in the men's synchronised 10m platform event in the French capital, having previously won one gold and three bronze medals across his first four trips to the Games. 

Daley effectively retired from the sport after winning gold in the synchronised 10m platform event at the delayed Tokyo Games three years ago, but he opted to return for a fifth Olympics this year, citing a desire to compete in front of his two children.

As Team GB returned to London on Monday, Daley confirmed his decision to the BBC, saying: "I'm really happy with how everything's gone.

"It's always hard when you say goodbye to your sport. Lots of things to process, but I think it's the right time. 

"This year felt like such a bonus and I got to compete in front of my family, my kids. I got to be Team GB's flagbearer. So yeah, bucket list ticked off on every occasion.

"I want to be with my family. I'm really excited to be able to spend some time with them and just be able to feel a bit normal for a couple of days."

Daley is the most decorated diver in Team GB's Olympic history. He won bronze in the 10m event at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, as well as the synchronised 10m at Rio 2016, before taking gold in the latter event in Japan three years ago.

19-year-old Jamaican triple jump star Jaydon Hibbert is grateful for his first experience at an Olympic Games.

The former University of Arkansas star and current NCAA Indoor, Outdoor and World junior record holder produced a best jump of 17.61m to finish just outside of the medals in Paris at the Stade de France on Friday.

Illustrating how close Hibbert was to a medal, Italy’s Andy Diaz Hernandez took bronze with 17.64m.

After qualifying sixth overall on Thursday, Hibbert opened Friday’s final with a 17.31m jump before going out to 17.61m in the second round.

He then jumped 17.53m in round three before fouls in rounds four and five and then passing on his sixth and final attempt.

“It was a good experience. Firstly, I have to thank God for what he has done,” Hibbert told Jamaican media after his final.

The former Kingston College standout competed in both qualifying and the final with a brace on his left knee, signaling that he was not 100% going into these championships.

“I almost boycotted the Olympics and I’m here standing on fourth place. I don’t know how many 19-year-olds can say they came fourth at the Olympics,” he said.

Hibbert said he felt even more pain during one of his attempts, at which point he decided to just prioritize the future rather than potentially doing even more damage.

“I got a hard fall on one of the jumps and I felt something so I kind of stopped competing right there,” he said.

“My coach was trying to convince me to go back but I told him ‘coach, I’m 19 and have a lot more years to come so I don’t want to risk injury,’” he added.

As for what’s next for Hibbert, he says his focus right now is rest and recovery.

“For now, I’m grateful for the fourth-place finish and it’s just road to recovery after this. I’m going to rest and re-evaluate a lot of stuff. I’ll be good,” he said.

Jayson Tatum is not going to discount playing for the United States at the 2028 Olympics, despite limited minutes this time around.

Tatum, a star of the NBA last season with the all-conquering Boston Celtics, had to settle for a bench role at the Paris Games.

He played 11 minutes in Saturday's gold medal game as Team USA saw off hosts France to take the Olympic crown for a fifth straight time.

Tatum did not play at all in two of the USA's games – the group-stage and semi-final meetings with Nikola Jokic's Serbia.

But that does not necessarily mean he would not want to feature for Team USA at the Los Angeles Games in four years.

"It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I'm not going to make any decision off [of] emotions.

"If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028, it is four years from now and I [would have] to take time and think about that.

"So I'm not going to make any decision based off how this experience was or how I felt individually.

"A lot of people text me and reached out and said 'Make sure this fuels you,' which I appreciate. There's a lot of people that care about me.

"I think the tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I'm still human.

"I've sacrificed and put a lot into this game and work really, really hard. So in the moment it is tough. You're not necessarily worried about fuelling for November or [whenever] the [NBA] season is, but like I said, it's something I'm going to take away from this and learn from this experience.

"It's definitely challenging and humbling at the same time."

Success in the men's basketball was one of 40 golds Team USA scooped at the Paris Games, as they topped the medal table with 126 overall (44 silver, 42 bronze).

China placed second overall, matching Team USA's tally of golds but collecting just 27 silver and 24 bronze. 

France might have fallen short in the basketball but they enjoyed a brilliant Games overall to finish fifth.

After 16 days of enthralling action, the Paris Olympics has finally come to an end. 

Records were broken and history was made in the French capital, with the baton officially passed on to Los Angeles, who will host the Games in four years' time. 

Before athletes and fans gathered at the nation's largest stadium, the Olympic flame, carried by swimmer Leon Marchand, traveled once again through the City of Light.

During the four-hour long ceremony, spectators were treated to performances by Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre live from Venice Beach.

Having been rumoured to play a starring role in the proceedings in Paris, actor Tom Cruise abseiled off the roof of Stade de France before leaving on a motorbike. 

Over 10,500 athletes from 205 delegations packed into the stadium, with Team GB's trampoline gold medallist Bryony Page and Alex Yee, who won triathlon gold, the flagbearers.

Thomas Bach declared the Games officially over, with a stunning firework display bringing the curtain down on a memorable 16 days in Paris. 

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games has further demonstrated the global reach of athletics, with a record for the most countries winning gold in a single Games having been set.

A total of 27 countries won athletics gold medals, two more than the previous record figure. Dominica, Pakistan and Saint Lucia all featured on the athletics medal table for the first time, with Thea LaFond (women’s triple jump), Arshad Nadeem (men’s javelin) and Julien Alfred (women’s 100m) all gaining historic gold for their respective nations.

Joining Dominica, Pakistan and Saint Lucia, Botswana also got a maiden athletics title through Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 200m – the nation’s first Olympic title in any sport – taking the total number of countries who have ever won an Olympic athletics medal to 105.

The tally of 43 countries on the medal table in Paris matches Tokyo as the biggest in athletics for more than 20 years, while 75 countries finished in the top eight – showcasing the depth of talent in the sport.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe thanked the Paris 2024 organising committee for providing the stage on which the sport and its stars could shine.

“Paris 2024 has been an absolutely spectacular Olympic Games for athletics,” said Coe.

“We are a sport where numbers matter on and off the field of play. Over the course of the last 11 days, our athletes have dazzled audiences in Paris and across the globe with some performances for the ages. We had three world records, 13 Olympic records and countless national and area records – the performances were nothing short of outstanding.

“Our sport is the gift that keeps on giving. This is not a one off,” added Coe. “We saw similar scenes at the World Championships in Budapest last year – and we are already seeing tickets fly off the shelves for Tokyo (2025 World Championships).”

A total of 26 athletes won multiple medals in Paris, including Femke Bol (mixed 4x400m gold, women’s 4x400m silver, women’s 400m hurdles bronze), her Dutch teammate Sifan Hassan (women’s marathon gold, 5000m and 10,000m bronze) and USA’s Gabby Thomas (women’s 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m gold).

Following his run for the US men’s 4x400m team in the heats, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson became the youngest ever men’s Olympic gold medallist in athletics.

Paris 2024 was also the highest quality Olympic Games in history, according to competition performance rankings:

Edition Score
Paris 2024 198,320
Tokyo 2020 197,115
Rio 2016 195,953
London 2012 192,456
Beijing 2008 191,749
Athens 2004 190,871

Records set

3 world records: Mondo Duplantis (SWE), 6.25m in the pole vault; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA), 50.37 in the 400m hurdles; USA, 3:07.41 in the mixed 4x400m.

13 Olympic records, 2 Olympic decathlon best performances, 21 area records, 99 national records, 311 personal bests.

Emily Campbell claimed Great Britain's 65th and final medal at the Paris Olympics after winning bronze in the women's +81kg weightlifting on Sunday. 

Campbell, who won silver in Tokyo three years ago, finished with a total of 288kg, lifting 126kg in the snatch and 162kg in the clean and jerk.

The 30-year-old has now won two of Great Britain's nine Olympic weightlifting medals, and is the only woman to finish on the podium at the Games. 

Campbell set a new personal best in the snatch and clean and jerk, acknowledging the quality of her opponents in the French capital. 

"The standard was so high and I had to pull it out of the bag," Campbell said. "In Tokyo I was new to the sport and enjoying things, it was a bonus medal.

"This one has come from the heart."

Defending champion Li Wenwen of China successfully defended her crown, winning gold ahead of South Korea's Park Hye-jeong. 

Britain end the Games with 14 golds, 22 silvers and 29 bronze medals, beating their tally of 64 in Tokyo three years ago, with their efforts the joint-third best they have managed at the Olympics. 

Since their first appearance in Athens in 1896, they have only managed more medals in Rio (67 in 2016) and London (146 in 1908). 

Team USA claimed a record-extending eighth straight Olympic gold medal in women's basketball, seeing off France in a dramatic repeat of Saturday's men's final.

After watching LeBron James and company scoop gold by beating the hosts 98-87 in Saturday's gold-medal match, Cheryl Reeve's team took on the hosts in a rematch for the final gold available at the Paris Games.

It looked like they might be on the end of a monumental upset when they trailed by 10 points midway through the third quarter, with the hosts capitalising on a series of sloppy turnovers from the USA.

The USA rallied from there and had inched ahead by the start of the fourth quarter, only for two free throws from Marine Fauthoux to put France 53-51 up with five minutes to play.

It was American-born Gabby Williams who led France's charge in front of a buoyant home crowd, with the former WNBA first-round draft pick tallying 19 points and seven rebounds.

However, Team USA would find a second wind in an end-to-end finish, inching ahead for good when Kahleah Copper made two free throws with just five seconds on the clock.

France thought they had forced overtime at the death when Williams sank a terrific would-be 3-pointer, only for replays to show her foot was inside the arc, condemning the hosts to a 67-66 defeat in front of watching president Emmanuel Macron.

The United States' victory also ensured they topped the overall medal table for Paris 2024 – they matched China's haul of 40 golds but won 126 overall medals to China's 91, topping the tree for a fourth edition of the Games in a row.

Earlier on Sunday, Australia overcame Belgium 85-81 in the women's bronze-medal match, securing their first podium finish in the event since London 2012, when they beat Russia to finish third.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul saw his Olympic campaign come to an end on the final day of the 2024 Paris Games after finishing fifth in Heat 2 of the men's Keirin quarterfinals Sunday. His placement fell short of the top four qualifying spots needed to advance to the semifinals, bringing his journey at this year’s Olympics to a close.

The 25-year-old cyclist entered the Paris Olympics with high ambitions, fueled by an impressive track record that included a sixth-place finish in the sprint at Tokyo 2020 during his Olympic debut. Over the years, Paul has established himself as one of the world’s fastest cyclists, earning multiple accolades on the global stage.

Paul’s accomplishments are highlighted by his two silver medals at the World Championships—one in the sprint event in 2023 and another in the 1km time trial in 2021. Additionally, he made history for Trinidad and Tobago by winning gold in the Keirin at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, marking the nation's first cycling medal since 1966. His performance at those games also earned him a silver medal in the sprint and a bronze in the 1km time trial.

Beyond his medal haul, Paul holds the world record for the flying 200m sprint, a testament to his incredible speed and skill on the track. Although his Olympic journey in Paris ended earlier than hoped, Paul’s achievements and contributions to the sport remain significant, and he continues to be a source of pride for Trinidad and Tobago.

Paul will undoubtedly look to build on the lessons learned and continue striving for excellence in future competitions. 

Kerriane McBean, the fortunate winner of Supreme Ventures Limited’s (SVL) Golden Ticket promotion, lived a dream in Paris as she enjoyed an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024 Olympic Games. Accompanied by her mother, Opal Swaby, Kerriane made the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, savouring every moment of her Parisian adventure.

The trip, organized and sponsored by Supreme Ventures, gave Kerriane and her mother the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement of the Olympic Games. They cheered on the athletes from the stands and even met some of the stars in person, adding a personal touch to their unforgettable experience.

One of the highlights of Kerriane’s journey was fulfilling a lifelong dream by visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. Describing the moment as "surreal and everything she thought it would be," Kerriane was thrilled to finally see the landmark up close. The pair also explored the stunning Palais Versailles, adding another layer of enrichment to their Parisian escapade.

Chloleen Daley-Muschett, Corporate Communications and PR Manager at Supreme Ventures Limited, shared her enthusiasm for being part of this special experience. "At SVL, we are committed to creating extraordinary experiences for our customers. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Kerriane and her mother enjoy Paris and the Olympic Games. This Golden Ticket initiative embodies our dedication to rewarding our loyal customers in truly unique and memorable ways," she remarked.