Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred’s gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics was a moment of undeniable triumph. Ahead of the 100m sprint, Julien faced fierce competition from two phenoms: Sha’Carri Richardson, with her world-leading time in 2024, and Jamaica’s Mommy Rocket, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 8-time Olympic medalist and 3-time Olympic Champion.

With those two favorites, many saw the gold going to either one of them. Yet despite all the hype around them as the favorites for gold, there was a moment in Paris when Julien shrugged off Sha’Carri Richardson, knowing the 100-meter crown was hers for the taking.

The moment Julien Alfred knew she was going to triumph over Sha’Carri Richardson at the Paris Olympics

Just before the semi-final, chaos ensued as both Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Sha’Carri Richardson showed up late for the warm-up sessions. The two athletes opted for private vehicles instead of the athletes’ shuttle, and both were locked out of the warm-up track. While Fraser-Pryce had to withdraw from the semi-finals due to an injury, Richardson had to run without a warm-up, leaving her off her usual game.

In the semi-finals, Fraser-Pryce was a no-show at the start line, dealing with an undisclosed injury. Julien Alfred had the fastest qualifying time at 10.84 seconds, while Richardson and Clayton both clocked 10.89. Now months later, Julien Alfred was interviewed on Out D Blocks, where the interviewer asked, “Did you get a sense that going into the final, then, this was your race to lose as opposed to trying to beat the world champion?” Alfred reflected, saying, “Yes, um, after that semifinal I gained so much confidence, and you know, crossing the line and just executing such a good race in the semifinal.”

Alfred’s confidence soared after that performance. “Even like slowing it down the last five meters of the race, I knew I had it in the bag as long as I just go out there, execute, and do what my coach and I have been working on for such a long time,” she said. For Alfred, it wasn’t just about physical skill; it was also about being mentally prepared to handle the pressure.

With her semi-final win in the bag, Alfred was feeling calm and confident about the final. “As long as I go out there and do the same thing as in the final, I know I have it in the bag, and I am as relaxed as possible,” she said. In the final, Alfred blasted out of the blocks with a quick start, her rapid acceleration giving her a clear lead within the first 10 meters. Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson struggled with a slight delay in reaction time, falling to the back. It was clear something was off.

Despite her usual strength, Richardson finished the race in 10.87 seconds, while Alfred crossed the finish line in 10.72 seconds, clinching the first-ever Olympic gold for Saint Lucia.  As Alfred celebrated her victory, her coach Edrick Floreal kept her grounded, saying, “It’s not done yet; we have one more round.” Alfred’s win didn’t just mark a personal milestone but also the first historic Olympic win for her country. “And I think the way the time finally turned out was the best thing that happened to me,” Alfred added. So, what’s next for the new gold medalist?

After a great win, what does the future hold for Alfred?

In the same interview, Julien Alfred reflected on her impressive accomplishments, saying, “I have accomplished an Olympic gold, World Indoors, and Diamond League final winner.” But even with all these titles, she’s not stopping anytime soon. She still has her eyes set on taking the World Title from Sha’Carri Richardson, as she’s yet to snag a World Championship title. As she put it, “I don’t have accolades in the World Championships yet; you know, outdoors, I don’t have the 100 or 200 m title or even the 200-meter title at the Olympics.”

At just 23 years old, Alfred already boasts a three-time individual NCAA Division I championship and a career that started in 2015 when she won the Central American and Caribbean U15 championship. Talk about a track star in the making! And let’s not forget, she also bagged a silver in the 200 meters with a time of 22.08 seconds, finishing just behind Gabby Thomas.

Alfred’s victory wasn’t just personal glory; it was a win for her entire country. In an interview with Olympics.com, she proudly declared, “I’m a damn proud Lucian forever and always.” With all her accomplishments, the World Athletics Association even named her Female Athlete of the Year.

But Alfred’s not done yet. She’s gearing up for her next chapter, determined to keep improving. “I think I have a lot to work on to get stronger in my course straight for my core. I think that getting stronger mentally as well as physically is really what I have to work on,” she said. She’s already eyeing the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, set for September, and with all the titles she’s racked up for Saint Lucia, she’ll never forget where it all began.