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St. Lucians have amazing celebration after Julien Alfred wins first Olympic medal in nation’s history

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•08/03/24•

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julien alfred olympics reaction
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sprinter Julien Alfred had the fans at Stade de France on their feet Saturday as she won the Olympics gold medal and claimed the title as fastest woman in the world.

She had no idea what was happening back home in Saint Lucia. The tiny Caribbean island nation partied like it was the first medal it ever won. Because it was.

Take a glance at how some of the folks back home reacted to Julien Alfred’s greatest achievement. Biggest takeway = loud.

Julien Alfred does have ties to the United States. After all, she trains in Austin, Tx. And she’s one of the brightest track stars ever produced by the University of Texas.

American Sha’Carri Richardson, the defending world champion, won the silver medal. And Melissa Jefferson of the United States earned bronze.

The track conditions at Stade de France were slippery because of the ongoing rain. Alfred basically won the race from her very first step. She exploded out of the blocks to gain an instant advantage on Richardson. Alfred ran a 10.72, while Richardson clocked in at 10.87. That’s a significant margin for a sprint. Jefferson ran a 10.92.

When Julien Alfred finished the sprint, she immediately took off her name bib and held it aloft to the crowd. She’ll return to her home country as a hero. Since no Olympian from Saint Lucia ever had won an Olympic medal of any color.

Coming into the Olympics, Richardson was the favorite in the race, considering she’s the defending world champion. But Alfred was better in qualifying. Running against Richardson in the semifinals, Alfred emerged with the fastest time. Richardson ran directly to Alfred’s right in the finals. Once Alfred was out of the blocks, she couldn’t see Richardson or anyone else in the field. That’s how dominant she was.

The 100 meters also proved to be a turning point for the sprint world. Earlier Saturday, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scratched from the semifinals. She’s a legend who is still competing. She won gold in 2008 and 2012, bronze in 2016 and silver in Tokyo. Two other star Jamaican sprinters didn’t even make it to the 100. Shericka Jackson, who won the bronze in Tokyo, withdrew from the event earlier. And Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won gold in 2021, isn’t competing.

So Julien Alfred, take a bow. You are the new queen of the track and probably in your own country, too.