SHORT HIGHLIGHTS | EUGENE WANDA DIAMOND 💎 LEAGUE 2026

MELISSA JEFFERSON BREAKS SILENCE AFTER ENDING JULIEN ALFRED'S STREAK AMID SHA'CARRI RICHARDSON STUMBLE

Melissa Jefferson won 100m bronze medal behind Sha'Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred at the Paris Olympic Games

Melissa Jefferson silenced her critics and stunned the sprinting world by defeating Julien Alfred in the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic, cementing her resurgence as a serious World Championship contender.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered one of the most defining victories of her career at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, when she defeated Olympic champion Julien Alfred and teammate Sha'Carri Richardsin in the 100m dash.

Jefferson clocked 10.75 seconds to edge out Alfred, who came in at 10.77, marking Alfred’s first loss of the season.

The performance came just weeks after Jefferson posted a world-leading 10.73 at the Philadelphia Grand Slam, further cementing her status as a top contender in the 2025 season.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith ran a season-best 10.90 to finish third, while Jamaica’s Tina Clayton placed fourth in 11.02.

American favorite Sha’Carri Richardson had a shockingly off-day, finishing last.

“I Am Here to Stay” – Jefferson’s Breakthrough Moment

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden dominated the women's 100m event at the GST League. Image || Imago

Speaking after the race, Jefferson emphasized that her win was more than just a one-off, but a result of hard work, discipline, and a sharpened mindset.

“I'm showing up every day for myself, even on the hard days. The goal is not just to be in these races, but to dominate and win," she said.

Jefferson acknowledged the strides she’s made in embracing the full scope of professionalism in track and field.

“I think the biggest thing for me this year is learning how to become a professional athlete and what that really means,” she reflected.

“It’s my own journey. I’m my own boss. But I have to be disciplined enough to stay true to that vision.”

Her resolve to stay healthy and consistent comes in sharp contrast to the challenges she faced in 2024, when an early injury delayed her season.

“I look back at that girl in Paris last year and I had all the heart, but not the strength,” she admitted.

“This year, my focus is on staying healthy and seeing just how far a healthy Melissa can go.”

Redemption at Hayward Field

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden

Hayward Field has seen mixed fortunes for Jefferson in the past, but Saturday’s sunny conditions and electric crowd helped set the tone for her powerful run.

“I’ve had good times and bad times here, but when the sun shines in Eugene, I know it’s going to be a great day,” she said, beaming.

“To come out here and see all those amazing fans, it’s just so good.”

Jefferson’s victory not only ended Alfred’s undefeated streak but also sent a message to her competitors as the World Championships loom.

Hayward Field has seen mixed fortunes for Jefferson in the past, but Saturday’s sunny conditions and electric crowd helped set the tone for her powerful run.

“I’ve had good times and bad times here, but when the sun shines in Eugene, I know it’s going to be a great day,” she said, beaming.

“To come out here and see all those amazing fans, it’s just so good.”

Jefferson’s victory not only ended Alfred’s undefeated streak but also sent a message to her competitors as the World Championships loom.

EUGENE 2025 !SHORT HIGHLIGHTS | WANDA DIAMOND 💎 LEAGUE

 

LYLES, MCLAUGHLIN-VORONE LEAD US OLYMPIC TEAM AFTER IMPRESSIVE TRIALS

USA TODAY Sports 

 Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's world record run in the 400 hurdles wrapped up the U.S. Olympic trials in style on Sunday in Eugene, Oregon, where Noah Lyles showed he will have a real shot at taking the sprint double in Paris.

McLaughlin-Levrone broke the world record for the fifth time in her career, taking the tape in 50.65 seconds to the delight of track fans at Hayward Field.

"There's something really exciting about trying to figure out how to improve upon history," she told reporters.

Three years after the U.S. men failed to collect a single individual track gold in Tokyo, Lyles emerged as his country's brightest hope in both the 100 and 200.

He equaled his personal best to win the 100m in 9.83 before posting the fastest time of the year - 19.53 - in the longer sprint, his signature event.

"I definitely thrive off pressure. I thrive off big moments," he told reporters. "The bigger the moment, the faster I run."

Sha'Carri Richardson dominated the women's 100 with the season's fastest time 10.71, three years after a positive test for cannabis shattered her dream of competing at the Tokyo Games.

The world champion and U.S. fan favourite left Hayward Field with a smile despite coming up short in the 200, where she finished fourth.

In the 200, Tokyo bronze medallist Gabby Thomas had the world lead in the semi-finals and the second-fastest time of the year in the final, underlining her claim as the top Paris contender.

"In our sport, especially with the women, there are always going to be some really good contenders on the line and I think I've proven I can line up with anyone and come out on top," said Thomas.

Olympic men's 400 hurdles silver medallist Rai Benjamin cruised to victory in 46.46, the fifth-fastest performance of all time.

Three-time world champion Grant Holloway won the 110 hurdles in a blistering 12.86, with Freddie Crittenden (12.93) and Daniel Roberts (12.96) joining him as the only three men to crack 13 seconds this year.

The 10-day trials stuck largely to the script but was not without surprises, with Olympic champion Athing Mu missing out on a trip to Paris when she tripped and fell in the 800 final.

And Masai Russell (12.25) overcame an experienced field that included 2019 world champion Nia Ali and Tokyo silver medallist Keni Harrison to win the 100 hurdles and book her first trip to the Games.

In the field, shot put world record holder Ryan Crouser won his event with a throw of 22.84 metres after overcoming injuries earlier this season.

Tokyo gold medallist Valarie Allman sent a message with a 70.73 throw to win the discus, while world champion Chase Jackson won the women's shot put with 20.10.

Tara Davis-Woodhall overcame early nerves to win the women's long jump in 7.00 metres, underlining her claim as the favourite in Paris.

- Reuters 

LYLES WINS 100M AT US OLYMPIC TRIALS TO BOOK PARIS SPOT

USA TODAY Sports 

 Noah Lyles chased down his rivals to win the 100m final at the U.S. Olympic trials in 9.83 seconds in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday to book a spot at the Paris Games.

The world champion hit the accelerator at the midway point to burst through the field and cross the line ahead of Kenny Bednarek (9.87) and Tokyo silver medallist Fred Kerley (9.88).

Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion, had the early lead but ran out of steam and finished fourth in 9.93.

Lyles, who won the sprint double at the world championships in Budapest last year, is aiming for four gold medals - two individual and two relay - at the Paris Games.

"Part of the plan," Lyles said. "Might be a shock to everyone else but when you know the goal, you know the goal."

Lyles finished next to last in the 100m final at the trials three years ago in Eugene, and after winning the 200m he could do no better than bronze in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.

Those disappointments still drive him, he said.

"If I didn't get that third place in Tokyo I wouldn't have had that desire, I wouldn't have had that fire burning," he said.

"I wouldn't have accomplished what I've accomplished in the past and now we constantly look to the future with open eyes because anything can happen."

Lyles will next compete in his signature event, the 200m, with the opening heats set to begin on Thursday.

The third day of the U.S. trials at Hayward Field saw Kendall Ellis win the women's 400m final in 49.46, with Aaliyah Butler taking second in 49.71 and Alexis Holmes claiming her spot on Team USA in 49.78.

Sam Kendricks, the 2016 Olympic pole vault bronze medallist, won his final with a meet record of 5.92m but it remains to be seen whether he will travel to Paris after telling reporters he might skip the Games.

Kendricks had travelled to the Tokyo Games but was not allowed to compete after testing positive for COVID. In footage posted on social media on Friday, Kendricks said: "The Olympics screwed me - everybody at Team USA left me behind."

Olympic champion Athing Mu reached the 800m final after winning her heat in 1:58.84. The 22-year-old had not competed in 2024 due to injury before arriving at the trials.

"I felt way more in control this race. The first round was just to kind of to get my legs moving again," Mu said. "I want to make sure I do run my race (in the final)."

Michael Norman, the 2022 400m world champion, won his semi-final in a conservative 45.30, while 16-year-old Quincy Wilson brought the house down as he improved upon his own under-18 world record to qualify for the final in 44.59.

Annette Echikunwoke won the women's hammer with her first attempt, a throw of 74.68m, while 2019 world champion DeAnna Price was second (74.52m) and Erin Reese third (71.21m).