President Paula-Mae Weekes yesterday lauded the achievement of Trinidad and Tobago’s latest Commonwealth gold medallist Jereem Richards. The 24 year old won gold in the men’s 200m final as action continued at the Carrara Stadium in the Gold Coast, Australia. “Congratulations Jereem Richards. The country is once again bathed in golden light thanks to your magnificent victory in the Commonwealth Games 200m men’s final. This is the first time since 1966 that Trinidad and Tobago athletes have won multiple gold medals at the Commonwealth Games - Michelle-Lee Ahye’s historic Women’s 100m final gold medal and now Jereem’s,” she said.

Relatives and friends of Jereem Richards, including his mother Yvette Wilson (seated center) and grandmother Deaprice Wilson (seated right) celebrate his victory at the family’s home in Point Fortin yesterday.

THE people of Point Fortin were in a celebratory mood yesterday as they marked the victory of one of their own. TT’s Jereem Richards, 24, grabbed a gold medal in the Men’s 200m final at the Commonwealth Games held in Australia. It was the second gold medal won for TT at the games. The first was taken by sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye in the women’s 100m final.

Jereem Richards, right, won the men's 200m after Zharnel Hughes was disqualified ©Getty Images

Trinidad and Tobago's Jereem Richards took the men’s 200 metres title following Zharnel Hughes’ disqualification in the Commonwealth Games as Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the women's title from from a high-class field here today.

Ayanna Alexander of T&T competes in the women’s triple jump final at Carrara Stadium during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. AP PICTURE

There is a breath of fresh air blowing through the T&T camp out at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia and it continued yesterday as Jereem Richards made his first appearance at the event with victory in his preliminary 200 metres heat in which he record a time of 20.33 seconds to advance to today’s semifinals, carded for 7.06 am (TT time).