PARIS, France — Ackera Nugent, the country’s lone representative in this afternoon’s women’s 100m hurdles final at the Olympic Games, has expressed confidence in her ability to secure a podium finish even while noting that the last few weeks have been challenging. The event, scheduled to take place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, is to begin at 12:45 pm Jamaica time.

Nugent, the second-fastest woman in the event this year with a time of 12.28 seconds, qualified for the final as one of the fastest losers after finishing third in her semi-final heat with a time of 12.44. Defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico won the heat in 12.35, while world leader Masai Russell of the United States placed second with 12.42.

“Being a time final qualifier for me is just the grace of God,” said Nugent. “Just a week ago, I had a lot going on with myself, and I was feeling so much pain that I had to go to the doctor. To be able to come here today and make the final is just a great feeling, and all I have to do now is give God thanks.”

Nugent said she was not pleased with her overall performance in the semi-finals, but she is hopeful for a better showing in the decisive race.

“The execution was a bit rusty for me, but at the same time, I just have to learn to trust myself a bit more, and I hope I will be able to do that in the final,” she said.

Nugent, 22, is aiming to join Megan Tapper, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, as the only Jamaican woman to medal in the event at the Games.

She emphasised that while the final will be tough, she plans to give her all to ensure a podium finish.

“It is a tough field, and the times show that it is a tough field, so each and every one of us has to show up, and then it will come down to who is more focused,” she said.

Nugent’s country women, Danielle Williams, a two-time world champion, and Janeek Brown, both failed to qualify for the final. In the first semi-final Williams hit the second hurdle, which threw off her rhythm, causing her to hit another barrier before finishing sixth in 12.82.

Brown, a World Championships finalist in 2019, ran 12.92 in her semi-final to finish seventh.