Julius Caesar’s famous declaration, “I came, I saw, I conquered,” captures the swift and decisive nature of his victory over King Pharnaces II, and this sentiment could easily be applied to the rise of Julien Alfred at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Though much of the attention heading into the games was focused on Sha’Carri Richardson, Alfred’s unexpected triumphs brought her to the forefront of the sprinting world.
In the early days of August 2024, Alfred, 23, from St. Lucia, made history by upsetting Richardson’s Olympic gold hopes in the 100m. Alfred’s performance sent shockwaves through the athletics community, and all eyes turned to her, including those of Olympic legend Allyson Felix. Felix, speaking ahead of the 200m finals, acknowledged Alfred as a potential future star, calling her a “dark horse.” Felix also praised Alfred’s remarkable youth and the possibility of her achieving a 200m-100m double, a feat that would cement her place as one of the greats.
While many still consider the 100m to be the marquee event in track and field, athletes who excel in this race often target the 200m for a historic double. Felix noted that for Alfred to be in contention for both at such a young age would be “incredible.” However, despite Alfred’s impressive 100m victory, she could not complete the double in the 200m, where she faced off against another top American contender, Gabby Thomas. Thomas claimed the gold with a time of 21.83 seconds, while Alfred, despite a valiant effort, finished in second place with 22.08 seconds.
Although Alfred did not win the 200m gold, her performance at the Olympics still earned her two medals, a remarkable achievement for her debut. Meanwhile, Richardson, who had suffered a setback in Paris, sought redemption at the Wanda Diamond League in September but was bested by Alfred, who claimed the 100m title in a time of 10.88 seconds. Richardson, on the other hand, struggled, finishing in 8th place with 11.23 seconds.
This victory in the Diamond League proved a key moment in the ongoing rivalry between Alfred and Richardson. It highlighted that Alfred is not just a one-time sensation but a formidable force in sprinting. She had established herself as a major threat to Richardson’s dominance in the 100m, signaling that the reigning world champion would need to regroup and refocus in time for the 2025 World Championships.
Julien Alfred’s rise at the 2024 Olympics and subsequent Diamond League win suggest that she is now the biggest challenger to Sha’Carri Richardson’s sprinting crown. Although Alfred didn’t take home the 200m gold, her performances throughout the year firmly positioned her as a leading figure in women’s sprinting. The rivalry between the two will undoubtedly be one to watch in the coming years, with Alfred’s consistency proving that she’s more than just a one-hit wonder.