分类： sports

The proposed schedule for the women’s 100m event at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles has sparked significant backlash, with Julien Alfred’s agent, Henry Rolle, leading the charge against what he describes as an unfair and inequitable decision. The controversy stems from the plan to hold all three rounds of the women’s 100m—heats, semifinals, and final—on the same day, a move unprecedented in Olympic history. While organizers have framed this as a way to kick off the Games with one of the most electrifying events, athletes and coaches have criticized the lack of recovery time, especially since the men’s 100m retains its traditional two-day format. Rolle, a seasoned coach and advocate for athlete rights, has publicly condemned the decision, citing persistent scheduling inequities that disadvantage female sprinters. He highlighted the physical toll on athletes, referencing the 2024 Olympics, where women’s 200m rounds began less than 12 hours after the 100m final, leaving competitors with minimal rest. Rolle has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to uphold principles of fairness and equity, emphasizing that women athletes deserve equal conditions and respect. Despite support from some athletes, including Dina Asher-Smith, who praised the opportunity to celebrate women’s sprinting, Rolle and Alfred have refused to endorse the schedule, vowing to advocate for systemic change through media engagement in the UK and France.

Saint Lucia concluded their campaign in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship in fourth place, marking a one-position improvement from their 2023 performance. Despite a promising start with two consecutive victories, the team faced a challenging streak, losing their next four matches. The tournament, held at the YMCA in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, wrapped up on Sunday, November 16. Dominica emerged as the champions, defeating hosts Antigua & Barbuda 3-1 in a thrilling final (25-15, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19). Meanwhile, Grenada secured the bronze medal after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Saint Lucia in the third-place playoff (21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 15-12). This marked a significant improvement for Saint Lucia, who had previously suffered a 3-0 defeat to Grenada in the preliminary rounds. Although the team missed out on a podium finish, individual players shone brightly. Captain Daniel Mayers-James was recognized as the tournament’s best scorer, while Peter Emmanuel earned the title of best first middle blocker. With a young squad featuring players as young as 14 and 15, Saint Lucia remains optimistic about their prospects in the next edition of the competition in 2027, especially after notable victories over defending champions St Vincent & the Grenadines and Anguilla.

The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association/Laborie Cooperative Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament has reached its semifinal stage, with Dennery, Babonneau, Soufriere, and Desruisseaux securing their spots after a thrilling quarterfinal weekend. The matches, held on Saturday, November 15, at the Dennery Playing Field, showcased exceptional performances and intense competition. Dennery triumphed over Laborie, while Babonneau outplayed Choiseul, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal lineup. Dennery faced a previously unbeaten Laborie team, limiting them to 85-8 and confidently chasing the target with 86-4 in just 10 overs. Kivaniel Evans starred for Dennery, taking 2-9 and top-scoring with nine runs. Meanwhile, Babonneau posted 88-5 against Choiseul, with nine-year-old Kaylani William emerging as the standout player, scoring 21 runs and taking 3-19 to secure victory. The semifinals, hosted by Soufriere on November 29, promise to deliver more cricketing excitement.

The Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre (SLCHPC) has unveiled its third cohort of promising cricketers, marking a significant step in nurturing the island’s sporting talent. The announcement was made on November 15 during an induction ceremony held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Spa & Beach Resort. The event celebrated the inclusion of seven new players, including former Saint Lucia Under-17 captain Khan Elcock, Windward Islands youth legspinner Cody Fontenelle, and Mon Repos batter Cody Lesmond. Other inductees are Sacchin Josh Cepal, Kethan Charlemagne, Ephron Charles, and the sole female player, Kanicsher Auguste. The group will undergo intensive training at Mindoo Phillip Park under the guidance of head coach John Eugene and SLCHPC chairman Craig Emmanuel. The SLCHPC, a collaborative effort between the Government of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Youth Development & Sports and the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association, is partially funded by the National Lotteries Authority. Now in its third year, the initiative continues to provide a dedicated platform for young cricketers aspiring to excel at regional and international levels. The induction ceremony also honored the 2024 class, recognizing standout performers such as Shawnil Edward (most disciplined), Selena Ross (most dedicated), Royce Paul (most improved), Bolton Sayers (most outstanding), and Theo Edward (coach’s award). The SLCHPC has already produced notable graduates, including West Indies players Ackeem Auguste, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, and Nerissa Crafton, as well as West Indies Under-19 stars Tarrique Edward and Selena Ross.