T&T sprint ace Jereem Richards booked his ticket to this year's Olympic Games when he stormed to victory in the men's 200 metres at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday in an Olympic qualifying time of 20.13 seconds.
The 2022 World Indoor 400m champion bettered the 20.16 standard to earn a lane at the July 26-August 11 Paris Olympics in France. The 2018/2022 Commonwealth Games 200m gold medallist came off the bend trailing Nigerian Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike but produced his trademark late surge to take the lead 40m before the line to secure his second 200m win for the 2024 season. Onwuzurike was runner-up in 20.27 with Jamaica's Bryan Level in third with 20.48.
Richards, speaking to Guardian Media on Sunday morning as he left Jamaica, was pleased with the win.
"It was a solid run. I am satisfied with where I am at right now. I am a bit stronger than I am speedy, but I trust in God and I trust in my coaches when the time comes I will be able to run what I think I am fully capable of running. I thank God I was able to come away with a victory and acquire the Olympic standard but finish a healthy race," said Richards.
He added that his second 200m victory for the year was motivating.
"I feel good about having a second win. It gives me confidence. This type of win helps build your confidence and I am excited for the rest of the season."
Richards, the 2017 World Outdoor Championships 4x400 gold medallist won the half-lap sprint at the Bermuda Grand Prix on April 23 in a wind-assisted time of 20.49. Richards copped silver at the Atlanta Games 200m (straight) on May 18 in 20.04.
Richards is next set to run at the New Yorke Grand Prix on June 9.
Jamaican Olique Serville thrilled the home fans by winning the men's 100m in a world-leading and personal best time of 9.82. Serville defeated reigning World 100m/200m/4x100m champ Noah Lyles of the USA (9.85) and Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala (10.02).
Julien Alfred blazed to the women's 100m title in a St Lucian record of 10.78. Jamaicans Lanae-Tava Thomas (women's 200m-22.36), Stacey-Ann Williams (women's 400m-50.86) and Jaydon Hibbert (men's triple jump-17.75) all recorded wins.
World Indoor 60m hurdles champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas landed the women's 100m hurdles in 12.64.
Frederick's twin sisters, Sanaa and Sole, were in sparkling form on the weekend as they finished 1-2 in the Girls High School 100m at the Edwin Moses Legends Meet in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday (May 31).
Sanaa was first across the line in 11.41 ahead of Sole (11.50) as the pair set new personal bests and bettered the World Under-20 Championships women's 100m standard of 11.78. The duo previously attained the World U-20 200m standard of 24.35 at the Carifta Games in Grenada on March 31.
Tyra Gittens was third in the women's long jump with a distance of 6.51m. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics 10th placer finished behind Americas Tiffany Flinn (6.71) and Sha'keela Saunders (6.53).
