A gold medal for the U.S. from a rookie rocket or a grand finale for a Jamaican legend’s two-decade career? The Stade de France was buzzing with anticipation as Sha’Carri Richardson, America’s top seed, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the “mommy rocket,“ were set to clash in the women’s 100m. For the US, it’s been a long wait since Gail Devers sprinted to gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and Sha’Carri Richardson’s path to ending the nearly three-decade drought seemed clearer than ever!

Fraser-Pryce, the Jamaican queen, who boasts two Olympic gold medals and five world championships in the 100-meter, was set to be Richardson’s biggest competition. But Carl Lewis, the “Sportsman of the Century” and nine-time Olympic gold medalist, had already thrown his support behind Sha’Carri Richardson in an exclusive chat with EssentiallySports.

Carl Lewis confidently declared, “On the women’s side, Sha’Carri just looks the best.” With a nod to Fraser-Pryce, Lewis told our correspondent, Shreya Verma, who collaborated with Tide for the interview at the French capital, “I really love Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She’s wonderful. It’ll be great to see her on the podium. I said podium. I said that on the top.”

He added with a smile, “And I am American,” playfully hedging his bets while tipping his hat to Fraser-Pryce. Lewis’s confidence aligns with the current track records, with Richardson leading the world in the women’s 100-meter Olympics finals this year. “I love Sha’Carri,” Lewis continued. “She’s running just so well right now. I think the key is who are going to get those other spots, so it would be great.”

With the 100-meter world lead of 10.71 seconds and the world title under her belt, Carl Lewis’s confidence in Richardson’s gold medal bid seemed more assured than ever. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, on the other hand, is currently ranked number 12 in the 2024 world standings with a time of 10.91 seconds. Yet, something unexpected happened in the women’s 100-meter final race at the Paris Olympics on August 3, 2024, that Carl Lewis could never have predicted!

Carl Lewis’s hopes for a golden finish with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce or Sha’Carri Richardson turned out to be just that—hopes!

In a stunning turn of events, Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia clinched the gold with a blazing time of 10.72 seconds. Sha’Carri Richardson secured the silver with 10.87 seconds, and Melissa Jefferson from the U.S. took the bronze with 10.92 seconds. Julien Alfred, the sensation from Saint Lucia, pulled off a jaw-dropping upset at the Paris Olympics, snagging her country’s first-ever Olympic medal and leaving Sha’Carri Richardson in her dust.

Alfred, crossing the finish line in a blistering 10.72 seconds—making her the eighth fastest woman in history—could hardly believe it. She celebrated by tearing off her bib and pointing proudly to her name with the world’s eyes on her. The night seemed destined for Richardson.

The world champion and 2024’s fastest woman was expected to glide in gold. She’d been unbeatable, from a sizzling 10.83 at the Prefontaine Classic to a jaw-dropping world lead of 10.71 at the U.S. Olympic Trials, and even in her initial 100-meter heat at the grand Stade de France. But as the final approached, something was off!

In a twist that no one expected—Fraser-Pryce pulled out of the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s 100m semifinal! Richardson appeared uncharacteristically nervous as well. With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce out of the race, all eyes were on 24-year-old world leader Sha’Carri Richardson in the largest stadium in France.

That’s when Alfred made her presence felt, stealing the show and taking the semi-final. Richardson ended up second with a time of 10.89 seconds. The final didn’t go as planned; she had a rocky start, and within 30 meters, it was clear gold was slipping away.

As we reflect on these surprising turns of events—one that even Carl Lewis didn’t foresee—what do you think about his comments to EssentiallySports? And with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s unexpected withdrawal and Julien Alfred emerging as the new Olympic champion in the 100m, defeating Sha’Carri Richardson, what’s your take on the night’s dramatic outcomes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!