St Lucia's Julien Alfred stuns Sha'Carri Richardson to win Paris Olympics 100m gold

St Lucia's Julien Alfred celebrates after winning the women's 100m final ahead of Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture: Martin Bernetti / AFP

St Lucia's Julien Alfred celebrates after winning the women's 100m final ahead of Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture: Martin Bernetti / AFP

Published Aug 3, 2024

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Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred stunned favourite Sha'Carri Richardson to win the Paris Olympics women's 100m gold medal on Saturday, etching her name into history to claim the Caribbean nation's first ever medal at the Games.

Alfred - who had never finished on the podium at a major outdoor championships prior to Saturday's final - conjured a superb race to win in 10.72 as the USA's Richardson took silver in 10.87 and compatriot Melissa Jefferson won bronze in 10.92.

Richardson, the reigning world champion over 100m, had been hotly tipped to become the first American to win the coveted Olympic crown since Gail Devers in 1996.

But the 24-year-old Texan found herself outgunned by the powerfully built Alfred, who led from start to finish after exploding out of the blocks at a rainswept Stade de France.

Alfred's gold gave St. Lucia their first ever medal of any colour at an Olympics. The island nation only began competing at the Games in 1996.

It was an incredible performance by Alfred who had fired a warning shot across Richardson's bows in the semi-finals, finishing ahead of the American in 10.89.

The semi-final proved to be an ominous portent for Richardson, who was slow out of the blocks and never looked like reeling in Alfred who could even afford to ease up as she crossed the line to clinch gold.

Alfred was in tears of celebration after sealing a sensational win, running to ring the trackside victory bell before wrapping herself in her country's flag and embracing her American rivals.

AFP