Julien Alfred won the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter sprint on Saturday.
The Saint Lucian runner finished with a time of 10.72, ahead of American Sha’Carri Richardson, who won silver, and Melissa Jefferson winning bronze.
Alfred never looked troubled, producing a remarkably quick start to get ahead of the pack. And she didn’t give her opponents an opportunity to produce a comeback, racing away from the rest of the pack to finish 0.15 seconds ahead of Richardson.
Alfred won her nation’s first Olympic medal in any sport — and made it a gold. She also set the St. Lucian national record with her time in the world’s fastest race.
For Richardson, the silver still marks an impressive comeback following her controversial suspension from the Tokyo Games over a positive drug test for marijuana.
Two-time Olympic 100m gold medal winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulls out of semifinal
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was a surprise withdrawal from her 100-meter semifinal on Saturday.
The two-time Olympic 100m gold medal winner had been scheduled to run in the second semifinal, but just minutes before was listed as a non-starter.
The Jamaican was one of the favorites to contend for the title, so it’s a big blow for her not to be competing.
For the Jamaican fans in attendance, it was a disappointment that they wouldn’t be able to see Fraser-Pryce race.
Michelle Vassell, who came to Paris just to see Fraser-Price said: “I’m heartbroken, crying inside, but you know what she made it this far at her age. She’s still my hero. I’m trying not to cry.”
Vassell said her spirits were lifted somewhat as she cheered on Tia Clayton, the winner of the third heat.
– CNN
