Paris 2024 Olympics: Julien Alfred wins 100m gold for St Lucia

Saint Lucia, a Caribbean island with a population of less than 200,000, has competed at the Olympic Games seven times before but has failed to win a medal.

But Alfred broke her country’s victory and won a magnificent gold medal, thanks to her heroic deeds during a downpour in Paris.

From the moment she took the lead, it looked like she would not be caught, leaving Richardson behind to take a convincing victory.

After winning her first world outdoor title, Alfred sprinted exuberantly far across the finish line to celebrate her success, eventually tearing her name off her vest and showing it to the crowd.

“I think of God and my father, who never saw me,” said Alfred.

“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 made himself known at the beginning of this Olympic year by winning indoor gold in the 60 meters. That was also a first for an athlete from St. Lucia.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist has improved steadily throughout the season, setting a new personal best – and national record – when she ran 10.78 in early June, before lowering her 200m best to 21.86 in London last month.

Alfred lives in Austin, Texas, where she trains with Asher-Smith under coach Edrick Floreal. She reached the 100 and 200 meters finals at the 2023 World Championships, finishing fifth and fourth respectively.

She has now fulfilled her promise to win the world title and will once again focus on the 200 metres in a bid to make even more history, inspired by Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt.

“Usain Bolt has won so many medals, I went back this morning and watched his races. I’m not going to lie, they were all Usain Bolt’s races this morning,” Alfred said.