Saint Lucia erupted in celebration as Julien Alfred etched her name in history, securing the country’s first-ever Olympic medal, gold in the Women’s 100m race at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In a stunning debut, Alfred crossed the finish line in a blistering 10.72 seconds, defeating the reigning World Champion, Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States, for the second time today.
The 100m final was highly anticipated, with Richardson entering as the favourite after a dominant season. However, it was Alfred who stole the spotlight, delivering a performance that will be remembered for generations.
From the moment the starting gun fired, Alfred showed her intent, accelerating with remarkable speed and determination. As the race reached its climax, it became clear that history was in the making—where Alfred narrowly edged Richardson in the semi-final, she dominated in the final, crossing the line first and securing Saint Lucia’s place on the Olympic map followed by the World Champion.
Alfred’s victory sent waves of jubilation across Saint Lucia, as the island rallied to celebrate this monumental achievement.
Streets were filled with cheering fans, and social media lit up with messages of pride and support for the young sprinter.
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre was among the first to congratulate Alfred, stating, “10.72 seconds!!! Congratulations Julien Alfred on achieving this historic milestone in our country. Our first Olympic medal and you brought home the Gold! Stand up Saint Lucia!!! Julien has made us proud!””
“A great day for Saint Lucia and the Caribbean,” remarked an emotional Dr Ernest Hilaire, Parliamentary Representative for Castries South East, where Alfred is from. “I feel great, and it’s an amazing time to be a Saint Lucian,” he continued, speaking from a watch party held in Ciceron, by the MP.
“She really carried the region on her back,” Hilaire added, noting the absence of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who pulled out of the race. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton placed seventh.
At just 23 years old, Alfred’s triumph in Paris marks the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career on the world stage. Her victory in one of the most prestigious events of the Olympics signals her arrival as a new force in sprinting, and fans around the world are eager to see what she will accomplish next.
In the post-race interview, Alfred was visibly emotional, expressing gratitude to her coaches, family, and the people of Saint Lucia. “I couldn’t have done this without the support of my country,” she said. “This gold medal is for every single Saint Lucian who believed in me.”
The race itself was a thrilling spectacle. Richardson, known for her explosive speed and charismatic presence, was expected to dominate, but Alfred’s impeccable form and race strategy proved too much for the American star. Richardson, who finished in second place with a time of 10.85 seconds, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Alfred’s outstanding performance. “Julien was incredible today. She earned that gold,” Richardson said.
