Sports
Julien Alfred Outpaces Sha’Carri Richardson to Advance to Olympic 100m Final
Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia dominated the Olympic 100-meter heats on Saturday, finishing first and advancing to the final later that night. Sha’Carri Richardson overcame a slow start to secure the second spot and also qualify for the final.
In a highly anticipated race featuring the two fastest Olympians in the field this year, Alfred secured the victory with a time of 10.84 seconds, a full body length and .05 seconds ahead of Richardson, the reigning world champion.
The race took an unexpected turn with the absence of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who was a scratch from the semifinal heat. The two-time Olympic champion’s sudden withdrawal means she will not contend for a third gold medal in the event. No reason was immediately given for her absence.
Richardson and Alfred were the only two competitors in the Olympic field this year to have cracked 10.8 seconds, making their showdown one of the most anticipated of the semifinals.
In the final, Richardson will face a fierce lineup, including her training partners Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, as well as Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, the eighth-fastest woman of all time.
After an eight-year hiatus, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Swimming Federation returned to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships with a six-member team at the 32nd annual event held from November 8–10 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Center in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. This marked BVI’s first appearance since 2016, following setbacks from Hurricane Irma in 2017 that impacted athletic infrastructure and development programs.
Representing the BVI were Jai Potter (15-17), Kyla Potter (11-12), Arun Bissoondutt (9-10), Naya Bissoondutt (8 & Under), Skyler Steer (8 & Under), and William Vergel (8 & Under). Under the guidance of Coach Elsworth Phillip, the young athletes held their own against teams from 11 other territories including reigning champions Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and host nation St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
A standout performance was delivered by Kyla Potter, who claimed a silver medal in the 11-12 Girls 50m Butterfly with a time of 32.16, just 0.5 seconds shy of the gold. This impressive finish highlighted her potential among the region’s top young swimmers. Additionally, Kyla placed 4th in the 100m Butterfly, 6th in the 50m Breaststroke, and achieved competitive rankings across other events.
run Bissoondutt earned 9th place finishes in the 9-10 Boys 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, while Skyler Steer placed in the top 10 in multiple events for the 8 & Under Girls, including an 8th place finish in the 25m Backstroke. William Vergel, competing in the 8 & Under Boys, placed 10th in the 25m Freestyle. Additionally, the team’s 10 & Under mixed 200m Freestyle relay, featuring Arun, Naya, Skyler, and William, secured a respectable 5th place.
At the conclusion of the championships, Antigua and Barbuda claimed their third consecutive OECS title with 1,419 points, followed by Grenada with 1,301.5 points and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 1,102 points. The BVI finished in 7th place overall, earning 37 points, and celebrated this opportunity to renew its presence in regional swimming after years of rebuilding efforts.
Coach Phillip praised the athletes for their dedication, stating, “Our swimmers have demonstrated commendable focus and resilience. Kyla’s silver medal is a significant achievement and reflects the promising direction of our program.”
The election took place on Friday, 18 October, during the ANOCES General Assembly at the luxurious Sandals Beaches Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Penn’s years of dedicated service to the Olympic movement, coupled with his strong leadership vision, played a significant role in his election.
Penn’s appointment heralds a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration within the Olympic framework. Upon accepting the role, he shared his aspirations for the organisation:
“I am honoured to serve as President of ANOCES, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Eastern Caribbean to advance sports development, support our athletes, and further promote the Olympic ideals,” Penn remarked. “Together, we will build a stronger and more unified sports community in the region.”
Under Penn’s leadership, the British Virgin Islands has seen transformative growth in both grassroots and elite sports, particularly in track and field, where the region has consistently outperformed on the international stage.
Penn will be joined by a team of experienced sports administrators. Dominica’s Billy Doctrove, a prominent figure in Caribbean sports and President of the Dominica NOC, has been elected Vice President of ANOCES. Additional key appointments include:
- Keith Joseph (St Vincent and the Grenadines) – General Secretary
- Glenville Jeffers (St Kitts and Nevis) – Treasurer
- Cliff Williams (Antigua and Barbuda) – Committee Member
With this experienced leadership, ANOCES is poised to continue strengthening the Olympic movement and supporting athletes across the Eastern Caribbean.
The ANOCES team has a packed agenda, with their next meeting scheduled in Panama City, Panama, from 12 to 14 November 2024. This gathering will coincide with the Centennial Celebration of Centro Caribe Sport (CCS), formerly the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO).
The summit in Panama City will offer ANOCES members a platform to discuss strategic priorities for the future. “This is a pivotal time for our region as we chart a path toward greater inclusivity and innovation in sports development,” said Billy Doctrove, the newly elected Vice President.
Sports administrators across the region have expressed optimism about the new leadership. “Ephraim Penn has consistently shown a remarkable ability to unite people and achieve ambitious goals,” commented Keith Joseph, General Secretary of ANOCES. “His vision and commitment will be crucial as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Jermaine Henry, a celebrated coach with Alpha Fitness VI, earned his PRO bodybuilding card on Saturday, November 9, in The Bahamas. This new PRO status transforms Jermaine from a competitive contender into a professional, unlocking potential avenues for endorsements and international partnerships.
His track record includes a 6th-place finish at the renowned Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur Bodybuilding Competition held on December 14, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Competing among over 400 athletes, he showcased his talent and dedication, elevating the Virgin Islands’ presence in the bodybuilding world.
Congratulations to Jermaine and the Alpha Fitness team!
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