Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred stunned favourite Sha’Carri Richardson to win the Olympics women’s 100m gold medal on Saturday, etching her name into history to claim the Caribbean nation’s first ever medal at the Games.
Alfred – who had never finished on the podium at a major outdoor championships prior to Saturday’s final – conjured a superb race to win in 10.72sec as the USA’s Richardson took silver in 10.87sec and compatriot Melissa Jefferson won bronze in 10.92sec.
Richardson’s comeback story hit a brick wall Saturday when Alfred romped to the 100-meter title.
PUNCH Online reported in 2023 that Richardson made up for missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a drug ban to sensationally win the women’s 100 metres world title
“I feel honored,” 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.”
However, Alfred set a world record to win the women’s 100 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.
