Julien Alfred Claims Historic Gold for St Lucia in Paris 2024

Before Paris 2024, St Lucia had never won an Olympic medal. Julien Alfred changed that by storming to Olympic 100m gold in Paris.

Julien Alfred made history at Paris 2024, winning the women’s 100m title and becoming St Lucia’s first Olympic medallist. Amidst heavy rain at Stade de France, the 23-year-old dominated the final, clocking a national record of 10.72 seconds. American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson claimed silver with 10.87 seconds while compatriot Melissa Jefferson secured bronze in 10.92 seconds.

Great Britain’s Daryll Neita finished just off the podium in fourth place with 10.96 seconds, marking the best finish by a British female sprinter in an Olympic final in 64 years. Neita expressed mixed emotions, proud of her achievement but disappointed to miss out on a medal. She now focuses on the 200m event, starting Sunday. Her teammates, Dina Asher-Smith and Imani-Lara Lansiquot, failed to make the final.

Asher-Smith finished fifth in her semi-final while Lansiquot missed out with a time of 11.21 seconds. Particularly disappointed given her excellent form this season, Asher-Smith is now also targeting the 200m. Julien Alfred’s victory was a significant milestone for St Lucia, a nation with no prior Olympic medals. Celebrating her win, Alfred dedicated it to her late father and credited her success to inspiration from Usain Bolt’s races.

Having won world indoor 60m gold earlier this year and steadily improving throughout the season, Alfred’s victory solidifies her status as a top sprinter. Richardson, the world’s fastest woman this year, could not match Alfred’s pace in her Olympic debut. Jefferson edged out Neita for bronze, securing her first individual global medal.

Neita, who has five global relay medals aims to recover quickly for the 200m and help Great Britain achieve another podium finish in the 4x100m relay.