On August 3, at the Stade de France, Julien Alfred lined up in lane 6 with hopes of securing her first Olympic gold. Her main rival, Sha’Carri Richardson, stood just to her right, eyeing the same prize. As the starting gun fired, Alfred was quick off the blocks, leading the race from start to finish. She set a national record for Saint Lucia with a time of 10.72 seconds, claiming her first Olympic gold medal. Richardson, the reigning 100m world champion, came in second, clocking 10.87 seconds.
After crossing the finish line, the 23-year-old Alfred celebrated with a victory lap around the stadium, while Richardson exited the track quietly. This Olympic encounter wasn’t the last time these two sprinters would meet, as they faced off again at the Zurich Diamond League. Fans anticipated another victory for the Olympic champion, but this time, Richardson took the win. The two are set for a final showdown at the Diamond League finals in Brussels, offering a chance to settle their growing rivalry.
As Alfred prepares for this final race of the season, she shared her mindset, stating, “I don’t want to use the word revenge. I never run against anyone. I do it for myself and just want to finish the season in style,” during an interview with *Athletics Weekly*. Though she’s had a successful year, with a personal best of 10.85 seconds in Monaco on July 12, Alfred emphasized that she’s not focused on times. Instead, her goal is to finish the season strong.
Since winning her Olympic gold, Alfred has been balancing intense training with personal sacrifices. At a pre-race press conference ahead of the Zurich Diamond League, she revealed her longing to return home to Saint Lucia and celebrate her Olympic victory with her countrymen. She admitted, “I haven’t gotten a chance to celebrate with my country as yet, to see the youth of my country.” But for now, her focus is on finishing her season before considering a well-deserved vacation.
The Zurich Diamond League race was highly anticipated, as it marked another face-off between Alfred and Richardson. After narrowly missing out on 100m Olympic gold, Richardson redeemed herself by anchoring Team USA to a win in the 4x100m relay. However, she was eager to reclaim her 100m title in Zurich. As rain poured down at the Letzigrund Stadium, the stage was set for another thrilling race.
Richardson, known for her occasional slow starts, once again found herself behind the competition by the halfway mark, with Alfred leading the pack. Yet, the American sprinter surged ahead in the final moments, crossing the finish line in 10.84 seconds. Alfred followed closely, finishing second with a time of 10.88 seconds. While this victory marked a win for Richardson, their rivalry remains unresolved as they prepare for their final showdown in Brussels.
The ongoing competition between Alfred and Richardson has captivated track and field fans, with many eager to see who will come out on top in Brussels. As the season nears its conclusion, one thing is certain—their rivalry will continue to be a focal point in the world of athletics.
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