In a rainy Paris evening, Julien Alfred rewrote the script for the women’s 100m as she beat favourite Sha’carri Richardson to clinch the 2024 Olympics gold.
The spectators at the Stade de France watched the runners endure the pouring rain and It was Alfred who took charge of the race from start to finish storming to a personal best of 10.72secs and a new national record for St Lucia. It is the first gold medal ever won by the Island nation in any sport.
Richardson took the silver in 10.87 and her American compatriot Melissa Jedderson settled for bronze in 10.92.
Alfred who had sent a note of warning in the semi-final with a time of 10.84secs was all tears of joy. Richardson reached out to her and paid homage to the new champion. Jamaica’s two time Olympics champion Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce scratched out in semi final.
In the mixed relay USA team that set a new world record in the semi-final, were beaten to second place by Netherlands in another major upset of the evening. Netherlands clocked 3.07. 43 seconds area record, while the USA finish at 3.07.74 and Britain settled for bronze with 3.08.01 a new national record.
