Having Dethroned Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred Recalls C…read more
Julien Alfred, now hailed as the world’s fastest woman, stunned the athletics world by winning gold in the 100m final at the Paris meet, dethroning favorite Sha’Carri Richardson. Going into the race, Alfred was not widely considered a top contender, as many fans were anticipating a showdown between Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. However, when Fraser-Pryce did not compete, Richardson was the favorite to win. Alfred, however, had different plans. She stormed the track, clocking an impressive 10.72 seconds to secure the gold, becoming the first athlete from St. Lucia to achieve such a monumental feat.
Alfred’s victory was particularly impressive as she beat prominent sprinters like Richardson and Melissa Jefferson. In addition to her 100m gold, Alfred also claimed a silver medal in the women’s 200m race. In a recent interview on SportsMax TV, the Olympic champion discussed her Paris success and revealed the immense confidence she had going into the race.
Alfred explained that her semifinal performance, where she posted a blazing time of 10.84 seconds, gave her the confidence she needed for the final. Her semifinal time was faster than Richardson’s 10.89 seconds, leading Alfred to believe she could defeat the World Champion in the final. Recalling the moment, Alfred confidently stated, “I knew I had it in the bag.” She credited her success to her rigorous training and focus, as she executed the race exactly as she and her coach had prepared.
However, Alfred admitted to being momentarily thrown off when she realized Fraser-Pryce was not competing in the final. Despite the confusion, her coach reminded her to stay focused, and she went on to break her semifinal time in the final, sealing her place in history.
Upon returning home to St. Lucia, Alfred was given a hero’s welcome, with Prime Minister Philip J Pierre among those celebrating her success. However, Alfred’s journey to the top has not been without challenges. She grew up running barefoot, unable to afford proper shoes, and often competed against boys. Her rise from humble beginnings to becoming an Olympic gold medalist is a testament to her perseverance and dedication.
