Sports
Sha’Carri Richardson’s comeback was stopped by Julien Alfred, who brought home the first Olympic medal to Saint Lucia
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Anyone who cared to look could see tiny signs that sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson won’t be quite the person she’s turn out to be.
Shaky beginnings. Small details. Soft exit from the Olympic trials earlier this summer after such a promising start.
All the hype aside, Richardson was never certain to win Olympic gold in the 100 meters on Saturday. On a rainy and strange evening at the Stade de France, 23-year-old Julien Alfred from St. Lucia showed there’s a couple of inspiring story, and a couple of great sprinter, at this Olympic track and field meet.
Alfred fought his way through the puddles, overtaking Richardson and the remainder of the much-depleted group to finish in 10.72 seconds, bringing down the wall before what was to be one in all the biggest stories of Paris.
She beat Richardson by 0.15 seconds — the largest margin in the 100 meters at the Olympics since 2008 — to bring home her first medal to the tiny eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
Alfred’s victory capped a journey that included the death of her father in 2013 and a move to Jamaica as a youngster in hopes of coaching to turn out to be an excellent sprinter.
“He thought I could do it,” Alfred said, crying as she spoke of her father. “He couldn’t see me on the biggest stage of my career.”
Richardson ended up with silver — a pleasant color, but actually not what she wanted after what she had been through in the past three years. Her training partner, Melissa Jefferson, finished third in 10.92 seconds.
Richardson is the favorite, although she hasn’t played perfectly this summer.
Her first race before Paris ended with a disastrous start in the Olympic qualifiers, which she won due to an untied shoelace.
Those starts were barely higher, but after winning the US national championship title in the 100 meters, she was a bit surprised when she didn’t qualify for the 200 meters, which meant she lost her likelihood for double gold in Paris.
On the day the gold medals were to be awarded in the 100 metres, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce suddenly withdrew from the event before the semi-finals, leaving all three Jamaican women who had finished on the podium at the Tokyo Games on the sidelines in what was at one point billed as the most vital race of the Games.
It all seemed to be falling into place for Richardson — except when she lined up for the semifinals, she found herself right next to Alfred, the only other woman on the Olympic team to run sub-10.8 this yr.
Richardson stumbled out of the starting blocks and lost the race by 0.05 seconds. It was an indication of things to come, though Alfred said she barely noticed who was on the track next to her — it was Richardson again — as the finale rolled around 90 minutes later.
“Sometimes when I do it, I tend to panic,” Alfred said. “So far this year, (not paying attention) has been such a good strategy.”
Neither the specter of Richardson to her right nor the downpour that began about 10 minutes into the race could slow Alfred down in the final.
Alfred’s early burst played an enormous part in her winning the world indoor 60m title earlier this yr, and she or he began strongly this yr, having two strides ahead of the pack in the 40m. Richardson, as she did earlier this summer, worked hard to rise up to speed.
The American, along with her arms spread wide in lane 7, seemed to be making up some ground as Alfred leaned toward the finish line. But there was an excessive amount of difference between them, and the real battle for second place was between Richardson and Jefferson.
“I’m a baby in this sport,” said Jefferson, 23, who won the 2022 U.S. title while Richardson was still shaping her comeback. “I have a lot of learning and growing to do.”
The centerpiece of NBC’s pre-Games coverage and star of a Netflix documentary about track, Richardson skipped interviews after ending second, a rare breach of Olympic protocol and a move meant to keep the world guessing a few star who has stuck to her message since her luck began to change this time last yr.
In several interviews she gave before the Games, she focused on her personal growth and the way she has turn out to be a more thoughtful and mindful person since her lowest point in 2021, shortly after learning of the death of her biological mother.
That triggered a bout of depression that left her alone in a hotel room during the 2021 Olympic trials, where she said she used marijuana. That cost her a visit to Tokyo. It took her two years to climb back to the top, and because it seems, the pinnacle got here last yr at the world championships in Hungary, when she won the 100-meter title.
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Considering where she was at the last Olympics, a silver medal at these games, with a likelihood for a greater result next week in the 4×100 relay, that is not a nasty result.
But almost nobody considered her to be second fiddle to the sprinter from Saint Lucia.
Alfred said that on race days she normally wakes up early to write her thoughts in a journal.
On Saturday, she kept it easy. “I wrote ‘Julien Alfred: Olympic Champion,’” she said.
Short. Simple. And 100% on course, very similar to the race she ran to turn out to be one in all them.
America to win gold, silver and bronze elsewhere on day two
The only American gold medal of the day went to Ryan Crouser, who won three world titles in the shot put. Another silver went to the American mixed 4×400 relay, which was caught in the anchor lap by Femke Bol of the Netherlands.
Jasmine Moore won the bronze medal in the triple jump competition, won by Thea Lafond, who brought Dominica its first Olympic medal.
Moore is poised for a double win when she competes in the long jump later this week.
“Tomorrow I think I’ll eat, lift, eat some more and enjoy it,” Moore said. “And when it’s time for the long jump, just try to have some fun.”
Noah Lyles advances to men’s 100m semifinals
Earlier that day, Second place went to Noah Lyles (10.04) in a slow first round of qualifying to reach the semifinals in the men’s 100 metres. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for Sunday.
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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