The Japan Times - Alfred scorches Diamond League 100m in Oslo

Alfred made history at the Olympics last summer when she won a first ever medal for her tiny island homeland of Saint Lucia.

She was in a different class in the Norwegian capital, clocking 10.89 seconds for the victory in front of a 15,000 sell-out crowd at the Bislett Stadium.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, making his first return to Oslo since his retirement in 2017, presented a grinning Alfred with a bouquet of flowers as she made a winning start to her Diamond League title defence.

"It was my first race of the season so I was a little rusty, but I got the win under my belt which is the main thing," said Alfred.

"And I got to meet Usain Bolt -- yesterday for the first time ever and then two days running I got to meet him again!

"It is a great honour to have met him."

Ivorian veteran Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith finished second in 11.00sec, with Britain's Dina Asher-Smith rounding out the podium (11.08).

"For the race itself I just wanted to be competititive," added Alfred.

"I head to Stockholm now so I have to rest and travel and compete again quickly but I will go to win again.

"As for my season I am Olympic champion so I am the one to beat but I really want to add world champion to my name as well as Olympic champion."

- 'Feel young' -

Ta Lou-Smith was left delighted with her second place as she continues to bounce back from the disappointment of the Paris Olympics when she finished eighth in th 100m with an injury that saw her miss the 200m.

"It was really quick. I am glad to be standing here, back after what happened at the Olympics," she said.

"I am happy to be able to get back in shape. I am happy to finish the race -- no injury, nothing, so me and my coach, we will take the chance at the world champs in Tokyo in September."

"I hope to be ready. I feel good, I feel young, so everything is open," said the 36-year-old who won double world sprint silver in London in 2017 and a 100m bronze two years later in Doha.

Asher-Smith expressed her disappointment at not winning, but said things were well on track in what is a long season.

"I feel great -- I have been training really well and I'm healthy so I'm really happy to be here," the Briton said.

"I did something different this year by opening with some 400s and now, I'm focusing on my speedwork.

"The Stockholm Diamond League is next -- I plan to run faster and this year is obviously all about the world championships in Tokyo -- the aim of course is to make the 100m and 200m finals, and I do believe I can run really well and get into the medals."

H.Takahashi--JT