– Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia won the women’s 100m Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, beating pre-race favorite Sha’Carri Richardson.
– Alfred dedicated her victory to her late father and expressed her belief in herself as a key factor in her success.
– Richardson claimed silver and her compatriot Melissa Jefferson took bronze, marking the first time American runners have won two medals in the event since 1996.
– Alfred’s rise in the sport began at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 and continued through college where she became a triple NCAA champion.
– Richardson’s slow start in the Olympic final cost her the gold medal, with Alfred’s superior reaction time giving her the edge.
– Richardson, still early in her career at 24, may look forward to a rematch against Alfred in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.