By PARIS, France – Julien Alfred of St. Lucia etched her name in Olympic history by winning gold in the women’s 100m final at the Paris 2024 Games, becoming her country’s first-ever Olympic medallist. The 23-year-old sprinter dominated the race in rainy conditions at the Stade de France, crossing the finish line in a national record time of 10.72 seconds.
Alfred’s victory was particularly significant as she outpaced American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, who claimed silver with a time of 10.87 seconds. Another American, Melissa Jefferson, secured bronze, finishing in 10.92 seconds.
The historic win marks a momentous achievement for St. Lucia, a Caribbean island nation of fewer than 200,000 people that had never before won an Olympic medal in seven previous Games appearances. Alfred’s gold medal performance not only breaks this drought but does so in one of the Olympics’ most prestigious events.
“I’m thinking of God and my dad, who didn’t get to see me,” an emotional Alfred said after her victory. “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 path to Olympic glory has been marked by steady improvement throughout the season. She set a new personal best and national record of 10.78 seconds in early June and further showcased her potential with a 200m best of 21.86 in London last month. Training in Austin, Texas, under coach Edrick Floreal, Alfred had previously announced herself on the global stage by winning the world indoor 60m gold earlier this year – another first for St. Lucia.
The race was notable for the absence of several high-profile competitors. Reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica was ruled out due to injury, while two-time champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew before the semi-finals. This opened the door for a new champion to emerge, with Alfred seizing the opportunity in emphatic fashion.
As Alfred celebrates her historic achievement, she now turns her attention to the 200m event, where she hopes to add to her medal haul. Inspired by Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, Alfred’s performance has not only put St. Lucia on the Olympic map but has also signaled the arrival of a new star in women’s sprinting.
The Paris Olympics continue to deliver thrilling performances and inspiring stories, with Julien Alfred’s gold medal run standing out as a defining moment of the Games thus far.
