Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia launched her 2024 Diamond League campaign in spectacular fashion, sprinting to victory in the women’s 100 meters at the Bislett Games in Oslo on Thursday.
Under a clear Scandinavian sky and before a roaring, sold-out crowd of 15,000, Alfred clocked a swift 10.89 seconds, comfortably ahead of Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.00) and Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (11.08).
“It was my first race of the season so I was a little rusty,” Alfred admitted, “but I got the win under my belt which is the main thing.” She added, beaming, “And I got to meet Usain Bolt – yesterday for the first time ever and then two days running I got to meet him again! It is a great honor to have met him.”
The iconic Usain Bolt, making his first appearance in Oslo since his 2017 retirement, presented Alfred with a bouquet of flowers in a symbolic passing of the sprinting torch.
Alfred, Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medalist, now eyes a bigger prize. “As for my season, I am Olympic champion so I am the one to beat, but I really want to add world champion to my name as well,” she declared ahead of her next stop in Stockholm.
Jordan Scott flies high with personal best in triple jump
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott produced a dazzling performance to secure his second Diamond League victory of the season, leaping a lifetime best 17.34 meters to win the men’s triple jump.
Scott credited his preparation and swift execution: “My coach said to me I needed to get one in early as it was going to get cooler as the night wore on, so I was pleased to execute that feat on my first jump.” Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo followed in second (17.06m), while the Jamaican savored the moment. “To jump my personal best so early in the season is pleasing, as it shows I am going in the right direction.”
Scott will now turn his focus to the upcoming Paris leg of the Diamond League.
Mixed fortunes for Ricketts and Smith in women’s triple jump
It was nearly a third win of the season for Shanieka Ricketts, but the Jamaican star settled for second place in the women’s triple jump. Her leap of 14.57 meters was edged out by Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez (14.72m), while American Jasmine Moore placed third (14.41m).
Ricketts’ countrywoman Ackelia Smith continued to show encouraging form with a matching mark of 14.26 meters, sharing fifth with Olympic champion Thea LaFond of Dominica.
Disappointment for Sada Williams in the 400m
It was a rough outing for Barbados’ Sada Williams, who placed last in the women’s 400m in 50.94 seconds, far behind event winner Isabella Whittaker of the United States, who blazed to 49.58 seconds. Norway’s Henriette Jaeger (49.62) and Britain’s Amber Anning (50.24) rounded out the podium.
Williams, a World Championship bronze medalist, will be aiming for a strong rebound in the next leg of the circuit.
Karsten Warholm delivers a world best in historic 300m hurdles showdown
In one of the most anticipated events of the night, Karsten Warholm thrilled the home crowd with a jaw-dropping performance in the 300m hurdles, obliterating his own world best with a time of 32.67 seconds—the first ever under 33 seconds.
The Norwegian star outdueled Olympic champion Rai Benjamin (33.22 PB) and Brazil’s world champion Alison dos Santos (33.38), in their first-ever meeting in the newly ratified discipline.
Benjamin briefly surged ahead entering the home straight, but Warholm’s trademark final burst powered him to victory. “This is a fun event,” Warholm said post-race. “But every time I line up, no matter the distance, I want to run fast.”
Mena claims 200m title for Cuba
Cuba’s Reynier Mena continued his steady rise with a commanding win in the men’s 200 meters, clocking 20.20 seconds. Switzerland’s Timothe Mumenthaler was close behind in 20.27, with Canadian Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse taking bronze in 20.33.
