Paris 2024 Olympics Day 8 Recap and Highlights – August 3
The United States continued to make history and rack up medals on day 8 of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. From track and field to swimming to gymnastics, American athletes delivered stunning performances. Here are some of the highlights:
Historic Firsts in Track and Field
- Jasmine Moore became the first American woman to medal in the triple jump, winning bronze with a leap of 14.67m.
- Melissa Jefferson, in her first Olympics at age 23, captured a bronze medal in the women’s 100m dash with a time of 10.92 seconds. Her teammate Sha’Carri Richardson took silver.
- Veteran shot putter Ryan Crouser completed a three-peat, becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic golds in the event. His winning throw measured 22.90 meters.
Julien Alfred Makes History with Saint Lucia’s First Olympic Medal 🥇
On a rainy Saturday in Paris, Julien Alfred made history by winning the women’s 100 meters final at the 2024 Olympics. Her brilliant performance not only earned her the gold medal, but also gave Saint Lucia its very first Olympic medal. 🇱🇨
Alfred, known for her quick starts, maintained her lead throughout the race despite the heavy rain and wet track conditions. She crossed the finish line in a national record time of 10.72 seconds.
After her victory, an elated Alfred said:
“It feels amazing. Waking up this morning, I wrote it down: ‘Julian Alfred, Olympic champion.’ So I think believing in myself and trusting that I could do it is what really mattered to me.”
Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson Take Silver and Bronze
World champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States, the race favorite, had to settle for the silver medal with a time of 10.87 seconds. Her compatriot Melissa Jefferson claimed the bronze in 10.92 seconds.
In a postrace interview, Jefferson expressed her gratitude and happiness:
“I’m grateful, happy, blessed. This is my first Olympic Games, and I was just happy that I was able to come out here and represent my country in the best way I could.”
She added:
“The main thing I told myself [Saturday] is that you are not going to leave here disappointed and upset and empty-handed. And here we go.”
Fraser-Pryce’s Mysterious Absence
Double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica did not take part in the final. Despite appearing in her fifth Olympics, she was listed as “did not start” shortly before the semifinals, leaving her lane empty.
Social media later showed footage of Fraser-Pryce and Jamaican team members arguing with officials who appeared to be refusing to let her in.
A Repeat of the World Championships?
Richardson’s slow start out of the blocks prevented her from catching Alfred, almost mirroring last year’s world championships where Richardson sneaked into the final and won the title from lane nine.
However, there was no repeat this time as Alfred hit her stride brilliantly and splashed home for the gold medal.
The Significance of Alfred’s Win
Alfred’s victory is not only a personal triumph but also a historic moment for her country. It marks the end of:
- The United States’ 28-year gold medal drought in the event (Gail Devers was its last winner in 1996; Marion Jones was stripped of her 2000 Olympic gold for doping)
- Jamaica’s stranglehold on the event after winning the past four Olympic golds and 10 of the 12 available medals
Looking Ahead
As the reality of her achievement slowly sinks in, Alfred remains focused on her next challenge:
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. Slowly but surely it is. I’m not sure what [Sunday] may look like. I know I have to run the 200. That’s what I’m thinking about right now, and getting to bed and just trying to rest.”
With her determination and talent, there’s no doubt that Julien Alfred will continue to make waves in the world of athletics. Her historic victory in Paris is just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career. 🌟
| Medal | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | Julien Alfred | Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 | 10.72 |
| 🥈 Silver | Sha’Carri Richardson | United States 🇺🇸 | 10.87 |
| 🥉 Bronze | Melissa Jefferson | United States 🇺🇸 | 10.92 |
Swimming Stars Shine
| Athlete | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Katie Ledecky | 800m Freestyle | Gold |
| Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay | Team Event | Gold |
| Kate Douglass | 200m Individual Medley | Silver |
- Katie Ledecky made Olympic history by winning her 4th straight gold in the 800m freestyle. Her 9th career gold ties her for the most by any female Olympian.
- The mixed 4x100m medley relay team of Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske set a new world record (3:37.43) en route to gold.
- Kate Douglass earned silver in the 200m individual medley behind Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh.
Golden Moments for Biles and Crew
All eyes were on Simone Biles as she sought to add to her record medal haul in gymnastics. She did not disappoint:
- Biles won gold on vault with a score of 15.300, with teammate Jade Carey taking bronze. It was Biles’ 7th career Olympic gold.
- On the men’s side, Stephen Nedoroscik earned the lone individual medal for the U.S. men with a bronze on pommel horse.
Other Notable Achievements
- The U.S. men’s basketball team, led by Anthony Edwards‘ 26 points, defeated Puerto Rico 104-83.
- Trinity Rodman scored a stunning goal in extra time to give the U.S. women’s soccer team a 1-0 lead over Japan in the quarterfinals.
- In tennis, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul secured bronze in men’s doubles, marking the first time since 1904 that multiple American pairs medaled in the event.
While there were a few disappointments, like Simone Manuel and Caeleb Dressel struggling in the pool, overall it was another incredibly successful day for Team USA as the Paris Games head into their final stretch. With more track and field, basketball, and other events to come, expect the medals to keep piling up for the red, white and blue.
