Julien Alfred made history by delivering a remarkable gun-to-tape performance in the women’s 100 meters final, securing Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal. Despite the heavy rain and a sodden track, Alfred remained focused and crossed the finish line in a national record time of 10.72 seconds. In a post-race interview, she expressed her elation, stating, “It feels amazing. Waking up this morning, I wrote it down: ‘Julien Alfred, Olympic champion.’ So I think believing in myself and trusting that I could do it is what really mattered to me.”
The world champion and race favorite, Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States, finished second behind Alfred, claiming the silver medal with a time of 10.87 seconds. Richardson, who was expected to dominate the race, admitted that she was grateful and happy with her performance. Her compatriot, Melissa Jefferson, secured the bronze medal with a time of 10.92 seconds, expressing her pride in representing her country at the Olympic Games for the first time.
Notably absent from the final was double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who did not start the race. Despite appearing in her fifth Olympics, Fraser-Pryce was unable to compete, leaving her lane empty in the semifinals. Social media footage later revealed an altercation between Fraser-Pryce and Jamaican team members along with officials, leading to her disqualification from the event. Her absence paved the way for a new champion to emerge in the women’s 100 meters final.
The victory by Julien Alfred marked a significant milestone for Saint Lucia and brought an end to the United States’ 28-year gold medal drought in the women’s 100 meters event. The last American to claim gold in the event was Gail Devers in 1996, with subsequent controversies and doping scandals plaguing the country’s performance in the competition. Alfred’s win also halted Jamaica’s dominance in the event, breaking their streak of four consecutive Olympic gold medals and reclaiming the spotlight for emerging talents in the sport.
Julien Alfred’s triumph in the women’s 100 meters final not only secured Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal but also disrupted the status quo in women’s sprinting, showcasing the potential for new stars to emerge on the global stage. As Alfred looks ahead to future competitions, her victory serves as a reminder of the power of self-belief and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness in the world of athletics.