Amidst a captivating show of sheer skill at the 2024 Paris Olympics, many are eagerly waiting for the track and field events to commence. One of the greatest sprinters in history, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will contest in her fifth berth. Even though she has racked up several Olympic golds in the past, she will step into the Stade de France to do it all over again one last time. Her fans are excited to see her stand atop the podium yet again, but the 2024 World Athletics Indoor 60m Champion Julien Alfred just might be her biggest contender.

The Track and field events commence on August 1st all the way till August 11. Looking at their performances leading up to the Summer Games this season, CITIUS MAG’s The Final Leg believes 23-year-old Saint Lucian sprinter will be a cut above the rest in the 100m dash events. They placed Alfred above the legendary Jamaican sprinter among their top 3 picks at the Paris Olympics. What could their reasoning behind this be?

Julien Alfred is the one to beat at the 2024 Paris Olympics

CITIUS MAG’s Anderson Emerole takes us through his top 3 potential 100m winners in the July 26 edition of The Final Leg. He believes the sprinter has a fighting chance against the crème de la crème on the track.

“Now, Julian Alfred, in my opinion, I think that she is coming into the form of her life, where is competing with the best in the world. She’s winning 100m dash races, she’s running personal bests, she is really in the mix,,” stated Emerole. 2024 marked her first season as a professional sprinter, and she’s already making waves.

The 2022 Commonwealth Silver Games medalist once told her teachers she wanted to be the next Usain Bolt. By the looks of it, she’s off to a flying start!

At the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, the sprinter solidified herself as a formidable competitor by claiming the first 60m gold for Saint Lucia. However, Emerole pointed out how “she’s kind of like a quiet killer in a sense” while many fans often focus on corps d’elite, like Fraser-Pryce.

“Julien Alfred is just kind of doing her thing and she is really really going to solidify herself here,” he continued. Notably, the 24-year-old contested at the Monaco Diamond League in the 200m event. As soon as the gun went off, everyone set off. However, the Saint Lucian had gained an incredible lead from the beginning.

She increased the distance between herself and her competitors with every stride. Alfred makes winning look easy as she crosses the finish line in 10.85 seconds. Trailing behind her were Tamari Davis and Dina Asher-Smith, who completed the podium in 10.99 seconds. She contested at the London Diamond League but settled for the second position and a new national record of 21.86s.

Emerole believes that her dominance on the track could eventually lead her to the podium. “Finally kind of like bring some pride and some celebration to St. Lucia getting their first Olympic medal ever in the 100m dash in any event. So, Julien Alfred for the silver medal.” Alfred told Olympics.com she visualized being the island nation’s first gold medalist. That’s going to be her aim as she steps on the world’s biggest stage. Yet, Fraser-Pryce still goes strong, breaking records!

The stakes are high for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has accumulated 8 Olympic medals across 4 Summer Games. However, the sprinter has been considering retirement in recent years. She confirmed that the Paris Olympics will be her last because she wants to spend more time with her family.

“I think I now owe it to them to do something else,” she told Olympic.com. She might be drawing the curtains on her Olympic career. But, the 37-year-old is looking to end it on a high note.

The 3x Olympian secured her fifth berth with a stellar performance at the Jamaican Olympic Trials in Kingston. Amidst a rousing cheer from the stands, the Jamaican sprinter finished third in the 100m with 10.94 seconds. Fraser-Pryce previously clinched a bronze medal in the same event at the Rio Summer Games. She then enhanced her prospects by winning an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo in 2020. But the track and field fraternity wants her to bow out in style.

Julien Alfred and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will first lock horns at the women’s 100m preliminary round on August 2. Alfred’s personal best of 10.78 seconds might be slightly quicker than Fraser-Pryce’s time at the Jamaican Trials. But like the Jamaican says, “It’s never over until it’s over.”

Will the 37-year-old add another Olympic gold to her collection? Or will Alfred fulfill her dream of claiming the first-ever gold for her nation?