One of the most anticipated events at the Paris Olympics sent shock waves around the world as Julien Alfred upset Sha’Carri Richardson to win her maiden Olympic title in the women’s 100m, backing up her World Indoor 60m title from March.
Alfred won her heat with the fourth-fastest time overall (10.95s). In the semifinals, Alfred was seeded in Heat 2 along with Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and World 100m Champion Sha’Carri Richardson. However, Fraser Pryce withdrew due to injury, leaving Alfred to go head-to-head with Richardson.
Alfred edged Richardson in 10.84s to 10.89s, qualifying with the fastest time overall and setting up a highly anticipated duel in the final.
In the final, Alfred and Richardson lined up side by side in lanes 6 and 7. At the start of the gun, Alfred charged to a brilliant start putting the pressure on Richardson. She continued to accelerate, leaving the reigning World Champion with a lot of ground to cover.
The Saint Lucian hit second gear, powering through the finish line in a new National Record (NR) and Personal Best (PB) of 10.72s, winning her country’s first Olympic medal of any colour.
Richardson edged out teammate Melissa Jefferson in the last couple of meters to win Silver in 10.87s, while Jefferson claimed Bronze in 10.92s.
