SAINT-DENIS, France — Julien Alfred won St. Lucia its first-ever Olympic Games medal. And not just any medal — gold — against the favorite in the 100-meter event.
Alfred, 23, outsprinted Team USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson on Saturday night on a rainy track, accelerating toward the finish line. She posted a time of 10.72 seconds, making her the eighth fastest woman in history.
Alfred sat in shock with her feat, then ripped off her bib to hold up her name high, and rang the bell just as she’d watched her idol, sprinter Usain Bolt, do so many times.
“You don’t ever see me celebrate like that ever,” she said. “I’m just happy it happened in the biggest race of my career. I’m going to be honest. I watched Usain Bolt’s races this morning. I watched how he executed. I grew up watching him and I just enjoyed ringing the bell today.”
Trailing her, after a rough start out of the block, Richardson took silver with 10.87 seconds. Another American, Melissa Jefferson, earned bronze with a time of 10.92.
Shericka Jackson of Jamaica — who was thought to be Richardson’s biggest challenge heading into the event — dropped out of the 100m to focus on the 200m, having suffered an apparent injury earlier this month.
