The American tried to get her calf in order but couldn’t do anything and was taken away crying in a wheelchair while the rest of the field got ready for the start.
Favorite Julien Alfred, Saint Lucia, kept up the pressure and narrowly won ahead of Poland’s Ewa Swoboda – 6.98 to 7.00. Alfred wasn’t sure she won and the tears started to flow as the results ticked by.
– It feels unreal and I will go to bed, I will think about whether it really happened. I am so happy to have had the chance to make my coach and my country proud. My family is actually here and I’m happy about that, says Alfred to SVT Sport.
Wants to win Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal
She is looking forward to celebrating the gold in Saint Lucia. Around the corner awaits the Olympics in Paris.
– My goal is to give Saint Lucia the first Olympic medal ever, says Alfred before she leaves with the national flag wrapped around her body.
In the semifinals, Hobbs posted the third best time with 7.04, ahead of only Swoboda, 6.98, and Alfred, 7.03.