Campbell, Ricketts make history

Paris France:

JAMAICA CARVED a piece of history at the Stade de France yesterday with the country first medals at the Paris Olympics breaking glass ceilings in the field.

It was also the end of Jamaica’s 16-year hold on the Olympic 100-metre women’s title.

Still, there was continuation of the Caribbean’s dominance thanks to the emergence of St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medallist, Julien Alfred.

National shot put champion, Rajindra Campbell, captured Jamaica’s first medal at the games, earning a bronze in the men’s shot put with an effort of 22.15 metres in the second round.

Reigning champion Ryan Crouser defended his title with 22.90, while Joe Kovacs got silver also with 22.15. Kovacs earned silver ahead of Campbell because his next best throw was better than Campbell’s, who went through serious foul trouble for the most part.

Campbell’s feat makes him the first Jamaican man or woman to earn an Olympic medal in the event, an accomplishment not lost on the man who feels it is a testament to how far the island’s field events have come.

“Throws have been developing. Jumps have been developing. The more athletes we have in the event, the better we will do. But the support has to be there,” Campbell said.

“The first medal in the event, it is a game changer.”

Campbell’s joy was shared by two-time World Championships silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, who erased the disappointment of Tokyo three year ago, to secure Jamaica’s first Olympic medal in the women’s triple jump with a season’s best effort of 14.87 metres for silver.

It was a Caribbean victory as Dominica’s Thea LaFond took the title in a national record 15.02, while the United States’ Jasmine Moore was third with 14.67.

Describing the achievement as the hardest medal she has had to win, Ricketts said that she was determined to put the disappointment of Tokyo behind her when she finished just outside the podium.

“Up until last night it played in my mind and I was like ‘I can’t allow it to happen again’,” Ricketts said.

“Just four weeks ago from the Olympic Games I remember one training session I was saying, ‘this is not happening, I don’t know how I am going to contend for a medal.’ I had to dig really deep. AND I think trust God, trust the process and believe that the work I have done will pay off.”

The Caribbean kept its hold on the women’s Olympic 100-metre title as Alfred became St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic champion and medallist, taking victory in a national record, 10.72 seconds.

Reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson was second in 10.87, while her American teammate Melissa Jefferson was third in 10.92.

Alfred said that she was filled with pride to fly the flag for the region.

“It means a lot to me and to the Caribbean as well. In the village, everybody was saying ‘we trust in you.’ People from the Caribbean were wishing me the best. Going out there and running for the Caribbean means a lot,” Alfred said.

Tia Clayton finished seventh in her first major global final with the ambition of getting even better from here.

Five-time world 100-metre champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, shockingly did not face the starter in her semifinal, ending the chase for her final individual Olympic medal.

Sashalee Forbes did not advance from her semifinal heat.