Julien Alfred outruns Sha’Carri Richardson to win women’s Olympic 100m

Julien Alfred made history on Saturday as she stormed the women’s 100m title in Paris 2024, becoming St. Lucia’s first Olympic medallist.

As the rain poured down at a raucous Stade de France, Alfred, 23, dominated the final and won by a clear margin in a national record 10.72 seconds.

It was the culmination of a journey that began at the age of six or seven at Leon Comprehensive School in Castries, the capital of St. Lucia, when the librarian noticed her potential as she was beating the boys.

However, there were bumps along the way. Most notably, she quit the sport at age 12 following the death of her father.

But she was persuaded to return.

Long behind her was Richardson, who could only run a modest 10.87, while another American, Melissa Jefferson, took bronze in 10.92.

Britain’s Darryl Neita ran with huge credit for coming in fourth in the heat.

Neita produced the best finish by a British female athlete in an Olympic sprint final in 64 years, but that will be of little consolation in her pursuit of the first individual global medal.

“I’m finding it hard to find words at the minute, literally speechless, so close to the medal, so close,” Neita said.

“I’m healthy, and I have the 200m to contest. I was so close to that medal, and I really want that medal, but fourth in the Olympics is something to be proud of.”