Julien Alfred sprinted to glory in a world leading 6.98 at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow. She was “so happy, so overwhelmed and ecstatic”.
The women’s 60m final was an anticipated event as Aleia Hobbs’ injury meant a nervous wait for the other seven athletes on the start line. The Emirates Arena fell into complete tranquility as each sprinter headed towards their starting blocks.
Fifty-three women entered Glasgow for the 60m sprint, in order to win. It required great focus, precision and composure. In the heats, household names Alfred, Swoboda and Hobbs advanced to the semifinal with ease.
The St Lucian strided to the finish line in 7.02, making it look easy. For US sprinter, she said it was a chance “to shake the legs out” while Polish pocket rocket Swoboda said “I’m sure the final will be done in Sub 7, and I want it to be me.”
In the semi-finals, Swoboda took the spotlight. The polish star charged to the tape in a blistering world lead of 6.98. She was edging close to that World Championship gold medal, there was only one more barrier to overcome.
In heat 2 of the semifinals, Hobbs edged the field by a hundredth of a second with Italian sprinter Zaynab Dosso just behind. Although Hobbs ran through the line, hit the mat and landed awkwardly, walking off the track with a limp. Something was seriously wrong for the American champion.
The last semifinal heat saw the St Lucian sprinter drive out the blocks then transition into a steady pace, putting her foot on the breaks in 7.03. She won the heat and promptly left the track to prepare for the evening’s final where her coach Edrick Flo said, “she hopes to break the world record.”
The final arrived as tension filled the arena with the world championship title only 60 meters away. As the final was about to commence spectators were informed of Aleia Hobbs’ movements: continuing to grab her ankle and stretch, she knew she could not run the race. The sprinter was wheeled off the start line in tears of disappointment.
All eyes were on lane 4 and 5 of Swoboda and Alfred. Alfred knew “she had to get out fast as Swoboda is a very good starter”. The gun went and Alfred exploded like a bullet on the shoulder of Swoboda. They stayed side by side until Alfred’s strength powered her to victory to make history as St Lucia’s first ever world championship title. Alfred couldn’t believe it as she leaped for joy.
As a result, Swoboda settled for the silver medal in which she described her feelings as “satisfied” because her semifinal time matched Alfred’s win. While Dosso of Italy received the bronze medal.
Credit: AIPS Media
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