Jereem breaks national 400m record but edged out of Olympic bronze

JEREEM Richards left it all out on the Stade de France track, missing out on his first Olympic medal by the narrowest of margins despite breaking the men's national 400-metre record. He finished in 43.78 seconds.

People across TT were glued to their televisions at 3.20 pm on August 7, as Richards went in search of TT's first medal at the 2024 games in Paris. It was a fast race as five of the eight runners dipped below the 44-second mark.

Following the painstaking result, Richards in an interview with SportsMax in Paris, said, "In good times all praise to God, in bad times all praise to God."

Asked about breaking a national record and being in such a quality field, he said, "It definitely means a lot to me. I am able because God is able.

"It was so close. It was so close.

"It is what it is, but it hurts to work so hard and not come home with a medal."

Running in lane nine with no other athlete in front of him he could not gauge the speed of the rest of the field until the final 100-120 metres.

Reflecting on the race, he said, "The last 20, 30 metres (I could have been better), but at that point I could not see anybody. I had to go (all) out and that's what I did. I am satisfied with how I executed, that's the best I could have done.

"Sorry to fall short. Sorry to TT."

Speaking more about the race on social media, Richards said, "Thank you very much for everyone that supported, that prayed.

"I put all out on the track today. I am a little bit disappointed, but at the same time...this (normally) would have been either a winning time or a time that would have gotten a medal.

"I hope that this motivates people to not only strive for your dreams and work hard, but to also be positive and support because it made a difference to me today."

Richards had a powerful start running out of lane nine, maintained good composure throughout the race and looked set to capture at least bronze in the final 50 metres.

But a late, race-changing surge from American Quincy Hall on the final straight, saw him bolt out of fourth, zoom past Richards, Zambian Muzala Samukonga and England’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, to steal gold in a personal best time of 43.40.

Before Hall shifted gears, Richards was in third, behind eventual silver medallist Hudson-Smith, who clocked an area record of 43.44, and bronze medallist Samukonga, who also recorded a new national record of 43.74.

Richards settled for a credible fourth place in a new national record, personal best and season’s best time of 43.78, four hundredths of a second short of TT's first medal at the Paris Games. His result also made him the first TT athlete to run sub-44 seconds in this event.

Ministry of Sport and Community Development praised Richards for his performance. On Facebook, the ministry wrote, "TT’s quarter-miler, Jereem 'Reemy' Richards, just ran his heart out in the men’s 400m final at the 2024 Olympic Games, setting a new national record with a stunning time of 43.78 seconds...

"Congratulations, Jereem! Continue repping the Red, White and Black with pride."

On Instagram, Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis said, "Jereem no need to apologise.

"You gave us your all, you gave us your best. You put your heart and soul into that race and you represented TT and the Caribbean well. Congratulations Jereem. Continue giving your best!"

Machel Cedenio, whose national record was broken by Richards, said on social media, "With great humility and honour I pass the baton (to) the new national 400m record holder, my track brother – Jereem Richards.

"Your passion, drive and discipline for track is unmatched. I am very proud of your consistence and persistence and the yielded result. It's really only up from here and I support you fully."

Fifth-placed Kirani James, a legend in the 400m event, had words of encouragement for Richards.

Grenadian James said, "He has to keep his head up and understand that his performance in any other Olympics (he) would have been on the podium, so he has to be proud of it and just appreciate everything that has happened."

Times have gotten faster in the event over the years as the winning time at the 2020 Olympics was 43.85, run by Steven Gardiner of Bahamas. James was third in 44.19.

At the 2012 Olympics, James copped gold in 43.94.

Jehue Gordon, a 2013 World 400m hurdles champion for TT, commended Richards for his sterling effort. Speaking as an analyst on SportsMax, Gordon said, "It is a painful one to watch. Jereem is a champion. No athlete would have gone out expecting not to win, that is just a championship mentality," Gordon said.

Fans in Port of Spain rushed to the nearest TV to witness the 400m final.

Hassan Matthews said athletes needed support throughout, and not only when popular events were on the horizon. He encouraged fans to attend local events.

Alston Benjamin said, "I think Jereem ran a very good race. The challenge of course is that you dealing with elite athletes, you can't really account for how they would adjust to the different circumstances of the race. He pushed them and they were able to adapt, but I think tactically he did what he was supposed to do.

"I think he did wonderfully, and as an athlete he has excelled. I really respect what he has done for TT and for himself."

Ras Uzoma said he was proud of Richards. "Hard luck...It was a good effort," he said.

Richards returns to the track on August 9 for the start of the men’s 4x400m relay qualifying alongside Renny Quow and Olympic debutants Shakeem Mc Kay, Jaden Marchan and Elijah Joseph (reserve).

With reporting by Faith Ayoung and Jonathan Ramnanansingh