Olympics Paris 2024 : In a stunning upset at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia claimed gold in the women’s 100m final, marking a historic first Olympic medal for her country. The three-time NCAA champion clocked a remarkable 10.72 seconds, edging out pre-race favorite Sha’Carri Richardson of the USA, who finished with a time of 10.87 seconds to secure the silver medal. Fellow American Melissa Jefferson took bronze with a time of 10.92 seconds, making it the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Games that American runners won two medals in this event.
Amidst the rain-soaked conditions at the Stade de France, Alfred’s explosive start and relentless pace left the competition trailing. Her victory was a testament to her resilience and dedication, as she later revealed that she had visualized this triumph earlier in the day. “I woke up and wrote it down, ‘Julien Alfred, Olympic champion.’,” she shared.
The emotional win was dedicated to her late father, who passed away in 2013. “He believed that I could be an Olympian. To come out with the win, I’m happy I was able to do it,” Alfred expressed, holding back tears. “He’d be so boastful of his daughter being an Olympian.”
Julien Alfred
Alfred’s journey to the Olympic podium has been anything but conventional. Spotted by a school librarian for her speed, she initially left the sport after her father’s death but was encouraged by her coach to continue. She later trained in Jamaica before moving to the University of Texas, where she achieved multiple NCAA titles.
Reflecting on her victory, Alfred said, “It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my coach. It means a lot to my country. I’m sure they’re celebrating right now.” Her inspiration for the race came from watching footage of Usain Bolt, which she channeled into her performance. The sprinter’s jubilant celebration, including ringing the victory bell, mirrored the iconic celebrations of her idol.
Julien Alfred’s triumph is not just a personal victory but a historic moment for Saint Lucia, as the nation rejoices in its first Olympic medal.
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