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Julien Alfred's semifinal win in Paris enhanced her confidence heading into the finals and she finally prevailed to win Saint Lucia's first-ever Olympic gold medal
Paris Olympics 100m champion Julien Alfred has opened up about how her win in the semifinals was a morale booster ahead of her clinching gold in the finals.
Ahead of the 100m sprint, Alfred faced fierce competition from two phenoms in Sha’Carri Richardson, who had a world-leading time in 2024, and eight-time Olympic medalist and three-time champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
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07:29 - 06.12.2024
Jamaican sprint queen teases Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas & Co as she nears return
The world champion seems to be ready to reclaim her throne after injuries hampered her 2024 season, allowing her rivals to dominate.
Yet despite all the hype around them as the favorites for gold, there was a moment in Paris when Alfred shrugged off Richardson, knowing the 100m crown was hers for the taking. Both Fraser-Pryce and Richardson were locked out of the semi finals warm-up track after arriving late, leading to the former's withdrawal from the race due to an injury.
Richardson on the other hand, had to run without a warm-up, leaving her off her usual game as Alfred finally got the better of her rival, recording the fastest qualifying time at 10.84 seconds, while Richardson and Tina Clayton both clocked 10.89 seconds.
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16:50 - 24.11.2024
'Definitely not what I expected' - Julien Alfred still surprised by Paris Olympics hero's welcome from Saint Lucians
Julien Alfred has shared why she is still in awe at how she was received by her country following her heroic Olympics performance.
Alfred said that moment made her believe that winning gold was a possibility going by her performance. Speaking during an interview on Out D Blocks YouTube channel, Alfred, who also bagged 200m silver, said: "After that semifinal I gained so much confidence, and you know, crossing the line and just executing such a good race in the semifinal.”
Saint Lucia's finest said she had to mentally deal with pressure in order to write history in the finals. “Even like slowing it down the last five meters of the race, I knew I had it in the bag as long as I just go out there, execute, and do what my coach and I have been working on for such a long time,” she added.
As the rain teemed down at a raucous Stade de France, Alfred, 23, dominated the final and sealed victory by a clear margin in a national record 10.72 seconds. American world champion Richardson took silver in 10.87, with compatriot Melissa Jefferson (10.92) third.
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