Sha’Carri Richardson is a name that resembles speed and resilience, finally stood on an Olympic podium in Paris on Saturday. But it was not Richardson but Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred who captured the spotlight.
In an amazing performance, Alfred clinched gold in the women’s 100-meter final with a remarkable time of 10.72 seconds, leaving Richardson, who timed in at 10.87 seconds, to settle for silver. This victory not only marked Alfred’s rise as the fastest woman in the world but also secured Saint Lucia its first ever Olympic medal.
Who is Julien Alfred?
Julien Alfred is a 23-year-old sprinter from Ciceron, Castries, Saint Lucia, has become a name to consider in the world of athletics. She was born on the small Caribbean Island in the Lesser Antilles.
Alfred’s journey to Olympic glory is one of dedication and perseverance. Her early years in Saint Lucia laid the base for her sprinting career, but it was her move to Jamaica for high school that truly shaped her future in track and field.
Julien Alfred’s talent was beyond doubt, and it was not long before she caught the attention of scouts from the University of Texas. She accepted a scholarship to run track for the Longhorns, where she quickly established herself as a force to be consider with.
In 2022, she set an NCAA record in the 60-meter dash and secured national championships in both the 100-meter and the 4*100-meter relay. These achievements showed her potential as a future Olympian and stapled her reputation as one of the fastest women in collegiate history.
The next year, Alfred continued her dominance on the track, adding two more national titles to her name by winning the 60-meter and 200-meter events. Her success with the Longhorns was widely celebrated, with the Texas track and field team proudly highlighting her success on social media.
After graduating in 2023, it was evident that Alfred’s journey in track and field was far from over. Her exceptional speed had caught the attention of the global athletics community, and she soon made her mark on the international stage.
In early 2024, Alfred won the 60-meter final at the World Indoor Championships, further cementing her status as one of the world’s premier sprinters. This victory followed her gold medal performance in the 100-meter final at the Central American and Caribbean Games a year earlier.
In Paris, Alfred’s path to Olympic gold was nothing short of extraordinary. She ran the fifth-fastest time in the first round of the 100-meter, finishing in 10.95 seconds.
In the semifinals, she dominated the field with a time of 10.84 seconds, setting the tone for her stunning 10.72-second finish in the final. Her performance not only secured her place in history but also sent a clear message to the world: Julien Alfred had arrived, and she was here to stay.
Julien’s Age and Physical Profile
Julien Alfred celebrated her 23rd birthday on 10th June, 2024. Despite her young age, she has already achieved feats that many athletes can only dream of.
Alfred is more than a year younger than Sha’Carri Richardson, who was born on 25th March, 2000, and just a few months younger than Melissa Jefferson, another American sprinter who won bronze in the 100-meter final.
Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall, Alfred has a physical advantage over her fellow medalists. Richardson, known for her explosive speed, stands at 5 feet 1 inch, while Jefferson is 5 feet 4 inches tall. For comparison, Elaine Thompson-Herah, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in the women’s 100-meter, stands at 5 feet 6 inches.
Julien Alfred’s Future Olympic Events
Julien Alfred’s Olympic journey in Paris is not yet over. She is set to compete in the women’s 200-meter event, where she will face stiff competition. Notably, Sha’Carri Richardson did not qualify for the 200-meter, leaving American sprinter Gabrielle Thomas as one of the top contenders.
The heats for the 200-meter event are scheduled to take place on Sunday, with the semifinals on Monday and the final set for Tuesday night.
With her current form and momentum, Alfred is poised to make another strong showing, potentially adding to her medal tally and further solidifying her status as a rising star in athletics.
Conclusion
Richardson entered the competition as the only one to win, but the semifinals hinted as a strong competition from Alfred. Both athletes, competing in their first Olympics, were determined to get the gold.
In their semifinal heat, Alfred edged out Richardson with a time of 10.84 seconds, compared to Richardson’s 10.89 seconds, setting the stage for a dramatic final. In that final, Alfred widened the gap even further, crossing the finish line well ahead of the American Sprinter.
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