St Lucia makes Olympic history as Julien Alfred gives tiny nation gold medal in women’s 100m

In a stunning show of courage and high spirit, St Lucia’s Julien Alfred wrote names in the book of history by winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m sprint event, beating the favourite American opponent Sha’Carri Richardson on Saturday.

It was the first medal won by the Caribbean nation, with a population of 179,000, in the history of the Ivy League sporting event.

Julien Alfred set a new national record of 10.72 seconds to make it to the top position on the podium while Americans Sha’carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson clinched the bronze and the silver medals respectively.

All eyes were on Sha’carri Richardson who was a firm favourite to win the gold medal before the start of the race.

Julien Alfred changed all equations with her commanding show on the track.

 The St Lucian runner became the eighth fastest woman in history on her first appearance at a Games.

St. Lucia had previously fielded its athletes in seven Olympics but failed to clinch a medal but the wait was finally over and the first medal came in the form of no less than cherished yellow metal.

Alfred also won the gold medal in the 60 metres at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

Alfred was a silver medalist in the 100 metres at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Alfred is the joint North American indoor record holder for the 60 metres.

Her victory is a complete contrast to the performance put up by the world’s most populated nation India which is fielding its second-largest contingent with 117 athletes this year in Paris but still managed to win only three bronze medals so far.