In the luminous City of Light, a remarkable moment of triumph emerged from Julien Alfred, who secured St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal, stunning audiences worldwide as she effortlessly surpassed the American favorite, Sha’Carri Richardson.
As Alfred crossed the finish line in 10.72 seconds—a time that ranks her as the eighth fastest woman in history—she raised her hands in disbelief, before tearing off her bib and proudly pointing to her name. From this moment on, it will be known by all.
This victory was the culmination of a journey that began at the age of six or seven at Leon Comprehensive School in Castries, St Lucia’s capital, where a librarian recognized her talent as she excelled among her peers. However, there were challenges along the way, particularly when she stepped back from the sport at the age of 12 following her father’s passing. Fortunately, she was encouraged to return.
Far behind her was Richardson, who posted a modest 10.87, while fellow American Melissa Jefferson earned bronze in 10.92 seconds. Britain’s Darryl Neita performed admirably, finishing fourth with a time of 10.96.
Those familiar with Alfred describe her as relaxed and grounded, yet they acknowledge her awareness of her extraordinary capabilities. The track and field world has always recognized St Lucia’s exceptional talent, demonstrated through her impressive array of NCAA indoor and outdoor titles last year. Now, she stands as the best in the world.
As for Richardson, when the evening commenced, many had already envisioned the gold medal adorning the 24-year-old’s neck. She was the reigning world champion, the fastest woman of 2024, and an athlete with immense potential. Yet, the weight of the Olympic stage can overwhelm even the most gifted talents.
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Her nervousness was palpable even before the race commenced. As she prepared in the blocks, her anxiety was evident; a poor start left her acutely aware that gold was already slipping away within just 30 meters.
