Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred stunned favorite Sha’Carri Richardson to win the Olympic women’s 100m gold medal on Saturday, etching her name in history by claiming the Caribbean nation’s first medal of the Games. Alfred – who had never stood on the podium at a major outdoor championship before Saturday’s final – put together a superb race to win in 10.72 seconds, with American Richardson taking silver in 10.87 seconds and compatriot Melissa Jefferson won bronze in 10.92 seconds.
Richardson, the reigning 100m world champion, was highly tipped to become the first American to win the coveted Olympic crown since Gail Devers in 1996.
But the 24-year-old Texan found herself outgunned by the mighty Alfred, who led from start to finish after exploding in a rain-swept Stade de France.
Alfred’s gold gave Saint Lucia its first medal of any color at an Olympics. The island nation only began competing in the Games in 1996.
It was an incredible performance from Alfred, who fired a warning shot across Richardson’s bow in the semi-finals, finishing ahead of the American by 10.89 seconds.
The semi-final proved an ominous omen for Richardson, who was slow out of the blocks and never seemed to recover from Alfred, who could even afford to relax as he crossed the line to secure gold.
Alfred cried in celebration after sealing a sensational victory, racing to ring the victory bell on the track before wrapping himself in his country’s flag and hugging his American rivals.
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