IN an electrifying performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Julien Alfred stormed to victory in the women’s 100m final, clinching St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal on Saturday.
The 23-year-old sprinter dominated the race, crossing the finish line in a national record time of 10.72 seconds amidst a downpour at the raucous Stade de France.
American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson secured the silver medal with a time of 10.87 seconds, followed by her compatriot Melissa Jefferson, who took bronze in 10.92 seconds.
The jubilant Alfred, who trains in Austin, Texas under coach Edrick Floreal, celebrated her victory by sprinting beyond the finish line and showing her pinned name to the cheering crowd.
Reflecting on her triumph, she dedicated the win to her late father, saying, “I’m thinking of God [and] my dad, who didn’t get to see me. He passed away in 2013. Dad, this is for you. I miss you. I did it for him, I did it for my coach and God.”
Alfred’s journey to Olympic gold has been marked by a series of impressive achievements, including winning the world indoor 60m gold earlier this year and setting new personal and national records. Her victory in Paris underscores her world-beating potential and sets the stage for her upcoming 200m race, where she aims to add another chapter to her historic Olympic run.
Inspired by Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, Alfred said, “Usain Bolt won so many medals, I went back this morning and watched his races. I’m not going to lie, it was all Usain Bolt’s races this morning.”
