Julien Alfred secured St. Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal, and it was a gold in the 100-meter sprint. Competing against the highly favored Sha’Carri Richardson from the United States, Alfred, at 23 years old, sprinted across the finish line on a rain-soaked track, clocking an impressive 10.72 seconds. This time places her among the top sprinters globally. The achievement was particularly notable as it was the fastest time ever recorded by a St. Lucian athlete, and Alfred’s victory came as a surprise to many who had their eyes on Richardson as the potential winner.
Reflecting on her win, Alfred was initially in disbelief, but soon, she proudly held up her name bib and rang the victory bell, a gesture inspired by her idol, Usain Bolt. “You don’t ever see me celebrate like that ever,” she admitted, adding, “I’m just happy it happened in the biggest race of my career. I’m going to be honest. I watched Usain Bolt’s races this morning. I watched how he executed. I grew up watching him and I just enjoyed ringing the bell today.” Her celebration was a testament to the significance of her victory.
Richardson, who had a challenging start, finished with a silver medal, clocking in at 10.87 seconds. Melissa Jefferson, another American, earned the bronze with a time of 10.92 seconds. The race was further marked by the absence of Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson, who withdrew to concentrate on the 200-meter event after a recent injury. In an unexpected development, another Jamaican sprinter, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who was a favorite to compete in the finals, did not start her semi-final race. The reasons for her withdrawal remain unclear, but her absence left a noticeable void in the competition.
Fraser-Pryce, a legend in her own right, had been a dominant figure in women’s sprinting for over a decade. She made history as the first Caribbean woman to win Olympic gold in the 100-meter event, claiming titles in Beijing and London, followed by a bronze in Rio and a silver in Tokyo. After her sudden withdrawal, she expressed her disappointment on Instagram, stating, “It is difficult for me to find the words to describe the depth of my disappointment.” She went on to express her gratitude to her supporters, adding, “The support of my fans, my country, and the larger community has rooted me in immense gratitude that has sustained me throughout my career.”
The focus leading up to the race had largely been on Richardson’s comeback and her quest for redemption after missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a suspension. The American sprinter, who was banned from competing in Tokyo after testing positive for THC, had cited the death of her mother and the pressures of competition as reasons for her marijuana use. While her comeback story garnered significant attention, Alfred’s consistent performance throughout the competition proved that she was a formidable contender.
Earlier in the day, during the qualifying rounds, Richardson narrowly beat Alfred by 0.01 seconds. However, Alfred turned the tables in the semi-finals, posting a faster time and signaling that she was ready to challenge Richardson in the final. This performance set the stage for an intense showdown in the final, where Alfred ultimately claimed victory.
St. Lucia first participated in the Olympics in 1996 at the Atlanta Games and has consistently sent athletes to every Summer Games since. Alfred’s gold medal is a monumental achievement for the small island nation. Following her victory, St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip Pierre took to social media to congratulate Alfred, writing, “You’re a world Champion Juju!” The pride in her accomplishment was palpable, not just for Alfred but for the entire nation.
Alfred, reflecting on the weight of her achievement, said, “It means a lot to me, my coach, my country, which I’m sure is celebrating now.” Her success is a source of national pride and is seen as a potential catalyst for the development of sports in St. Lucia.
In the aftermath of her victory, Alfred expressed hope that the spotlight on her accomplishment would lead to increased support and investment in athletics in her home country. She recounted her challenging journey, saying, “Growing up, I used to be on the field struggling, with no shoes, running barefoot, running in my school uniform, running all over the place. We barely have the right facilities. The stadium is not fixed. I hope this gold medal will help St. Lucia build a new stadium, to help the sport grow.”
Alfred’s Olympic journey is far from over. She is set to compete in the 200-meter event, where she will face off against Gabby Thomas, the bronze medalist from Tokyo. With her historic gold already in hand, all eyes will be on Alfred to see if she can continue her groundbreaking performance in the upcoming race.
