Julien Alfred, a Saint Lucian athlete, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Olympic women’s 100-meter gold medal on Saturday. This historic victory marks the first-ever medal for the Caribbean nation at the Olympic Games.

Alfred, who had not previously secured a podium finish in any major outdoor championship, showcased exceptional talent and determination in the race. She completed the 100-meter sprint in an impressive time of 10.72 seconds, surpassing the favored athlete, Sha’Carri Richardson from the United States. Richardson secured the silver medal with a time of 10.87 seconds, while her compatriot, Melissa Jefferson, claimed the bronze medal with a time of 10.92 seconds.

Despite Richardson’s highly anticipated comeback, Alfred’s remarkable performance proved to be an unexpected obstacle, resulting in her triumph in the 100-meter event.

In 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson made a remarkable comeback after missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a drug suspension. She sensationally clinched the title of women’s 100 meters world champion in Budapest, setting a new championship record of 10.65 seconds.

The then-23-year-old American athlete demonstrated exceptional speed and determination, sprinting from the unpopular lane nine to surpass Jamaican competitors Shericka Jackson (10.72 seconds) and five-time champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.77 seconds).

Richardson’s triumph marked a significant redemption after missing the postponed Tokyo Games in 2021 due to a positive marijuana test at the US trials.

With her victory at the US athletics trials in June, Richardson secured her spot in the Paris Games, aiming to retain her title as the fastest woman in the world.

“I feel honoured,” Richardson said. “I feel every chapter I’ve been through in my life designed and prepared me for this moment.

“I cannot wait to go to Paris and represent.”

Nevertheless, Alfred achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new world record in the women’s 100-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.

Positioned one lane to the left of Richardson, and amidst challenging weather conditions with water accumulating on the purple track at the Stade de France due to a heavy downpour, Alfred demonstrated exceptional athleticism.

She executed an impressive start and maintained her momentum throughout the race, ultimately surpassing Richardson by a significant margin of 0.15 seconds, which translates to approximately three body lengths.

In this report, we present pertinent information about Alfred, encompassing her background and collegiate athletic career.

Who is Julien Alfred?

Julien Alfred, born on June 10, 2001, in Ciceron, Castries, Saint Lucia, is the current world’s fastest female sprinter. At the age of 23, she has demonstrated exceptional talent and speed, recently outperforming Sha’Carri Richardson in both the semifinals and finals of the 100-meter race.

Alfred, a native of Saint Lucia, received her secondary education in Jamaica before enrolling at the University of Texas. During her time there, she achieved remarkable success in track and field, setting an NCAA record in the 60-meter event in 2022 and claiming national championships in both the 100-meter and 4x100m relay. Her accolades continued to grow in 2023, as she secured additional titles in the 60-meter and 200-meter races.

Alfred’s exceptional talent was further showcased on the international stage. She triumphed in the 60-meter final at the prestigious 2024 World Indoor Championships, solidifying her position as a formidable competitor. Additionally, she captured the gold medal in the 100-meter final at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, demonstrating her dominance in the region.

Her crowning achievement came at the Paris Olympics, where she delivered a remarkable performance in the 100-meter final. With an awe-inspiring time of 10.72 seconds, she secured her place as the fastest woman in the world, etching her name into the annals of sporting history.

Alfred, Texas alumni games, height

At a height of 5 feet 7 inches, Alfred stands taller than her fellow sprinters, Jefferson (5 feet 4 inches) and Richardson (5 feet 1 inch). She is scheduled to participate in the women’s 200-meter event in Paris, with preliminary heats on Sunday, semi-finals on Monday, and the final event on Tuesday.

The offici”l Twitter account of Texas Track and Field and Cross Country, @TexasTFXC, paid tribute to Alfred in a post published late Saturday night.

It read, “Julien Alfred is the 100-metre Olympic gold medalist.

“Julien brings home the first ever Olympic medal for St. Lucia with her winning time of 10.72 # FloKnows x #HookEm.”