Trinidad and Tobago’s leading international athlete, Jereem Richards, announced his arrival at the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris, France, with a sensational start and finish in the men’s 400 meters first round, Heat 2, on a cool Sunday night at the famous Stade de France arena.
Richards finished second in a time of 44.31 seconds (his second fastest time) behind two-time World Champion Michael Norman of the USA, who won in 44.10 seconds with Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana, third in 44.45 seconds, and he also qualified for the semi-finals as the top-three for the heat.
“I did not think the race was so quick. I thought it was closer to 45, but okay. I knew what to do after the Diamond League race on the outside, so I set off to get a good start and reach the semi-finals, so job done,“ a clearly contended Richards told Guardian Media Sports after the race.
He said, “I do not care about time; all I want is a medal. Time comes and goes, but a medal lasts, so my aim is all about that. I know I have a day to rest, so I eased down.”
“But if you ask me if I believe I have sub 44 in me, I would say yes, but once I reach the finals and get that medal, that is all I want. I will check the time after,” noted Richards.
Indeed, as women’s 100-meter gold medallist Julien Alfred was passing after the medal ceremony, Richards took time to extend congratulations to her and examine her gold medal. He said after, “I wanted to feel that energy, and I felt something when I touched it, and I am going to give the 400-meter race my all, and I told her what her medal meant to the region, not only St Lucia.”
Alfred, sporting a winning smile, told Guardian Media Sports,. “He is next, Jereem; he is next for a medal.”
Richards, a native of Point Fortin, though, believes that there is one area of his race that he has to improve. “That last 30 meters has to be better, but I have found that the more I run, the better I get at this, and given my times, I made up my mind that this is it for me, so I am going for that on Tuesday.”
“It is all about getting some rest, working on certain areas, and just continuing to see the end of a medal. I just want one,” declared Richards.
He explained, “My wife, daughter, and mother are up here to support me; I have not been able to see them yet, but I know they are here, and when you add the others, my aunts, my sister, and the strong parts—all of my family support—I am always well blessed with their support and love. I am also aware that all of T&T is supporting us in every event.”
Men’s 400 metres Heat 2 Results
1. Michael Norman, United States, 44.10 (Q).
2. Jereem Richards, Trinidad and Tobago, 44.31 (Q).
3. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana, 44.45 (Q).
4. Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim, Qatar, 44.66 (Re).
5. Sean Bailey, Jamaica, 44.68 (Re).
6. Attila Molnar, Hungary, 45.24 (Re).
7. Anthony Jose Zambrano, Colombia, 45.49 (Re).
8. Michael Joseph, Saint Lucia, 45.69 (Re). ,
