America is coming to terms with a gold medal that slipped away after Sha’Carri Richardson had to settle for silver in a dramatic women’s 100m final on Sunday morning (AEST).
Pre-Race Drama Sets the Stage
The American superstar was widely expected to claim gold, especially after her victory in the 100m at last year’s World Championships.
Unexpected Developments
Pre-race events seemed to clear the path for her when Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was locked out of the stadium and withdrew from the semi-finals amid rumors of a hamstring injury. Another Jamaican, Shericka Jackson, who won bronze in Tokyo, withdrew from the 100m to focus on the 200m, and Jamaica’s five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah was also absent due to an Achilles injury earlier this year.
Richardson: The Red-Hot Favorite
At 24, Richardson was the hot favorite to win gold, hoping to complete her redemption story after a positive cannabis test ruled her out of the Tokyo Olympics. However, Julien Alfred (10.72s) surged down the track, setting a national record and beating two Americans—Richardson (10.87) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92).\
A Historic Victory for Saint Lucia
Alfred’s victory was monumental, marking the first-ever Olympic gold for Saint Lucia, a Caribbean nation with a population of just 180,000. This unexpected outcome overshadowed Richardson’s anticipated triumph and left the Texan star’s dreams of victory unfulfilled.
A Warning in the Semi-Final
Richardson’s slow start in the semi-final served as a forewarning, as Alfred dominated and even eased up while crossing the line to secure gold.
Celebration and Reflection
Alfred was overwhelmed with emotion after her win, celebrating by ringing the trackside victory bell, wrapping herself in her country’s flag, and embracing her American competitors amid loud cheers from the Parisian crowd.
Richardson’s Disappointment
Meanwhile, Richardson was left reflecting on what went wrong in an Olympic campaign that seemed poised to deliver gold. After her surprise gold at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, she had framed her campaign in Paris as a bid for redemption, three years after being barred from the Tokyo Olympics due to a positive marijuana test while grieving her biological mother’s death.
The Stars Seemed Aligned
Leading up to the Games, circumstances appeared to favor the flamboyant world champion with Thompson-Herah, Jackson, and Fraser-Pryce all dropping out.
Alfred’s Determination
However, any hopes that fate was on Richardson’s side were dashed by Alfred, who was determined and unstoppable, clinching St. Lucia’s first Olympic medal despite the rain-slicked track.
Reaction from Fans and Experts
The NY Post described Richardson’s silver as a “downer.” One athletics fan commented on X: “A little island but everyone on the island could fit between that gap between Julien and Sha’Carri.” Former NFL star Robert Griffin III added: “Julien Alfred JUST SHOCKED THE WORLD and beat Sha’Carri Richardson. She was HIGH STEPPING IN THE RAIN and all 180,854 people from Saint Lucia are storming the streets for their new Queen.”
Praise for Both Athletes
Former Australian athletics star John Steffensen praised Richardson for fighting back from her slow start to reach the podium. He highlighted Alfred’s excellent performance, saying, “Julien Alfred was magnificent; she did everything she had to do to win that race.” He added, “Julien handled the moment really, really well and did what a champion needs to do throughout the rounds, getting better every round and running a personal best in the final.”
Final Thoughts
Steffensen acknowledged that Richardson did everything she could to catch Alfred but was ultimately outpaced. He suggested that if losing the Olympic championship had to happen, this was the best way to do it. He concluded, “Sha’Carri should be super, super proud because if that’s the worst result she could get, it’s a very good one.”
Conclusion
The women’s 100m final was a thrilling event filled with unexpected twists and turns. While Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey to gold was thwarted, her determination and resilience were evident. Julien Alfred’s historic win for Saint Lucia added a layer of excitement and inspiration to the race, showcasing the unpredictability and drama that make the Olympics a captivating spectacle.
FAQs
- Who won the women’s 100m final at the Olympics?
- Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia won the gold medal in the women’s 100m final.
- What was Sha’Carri Richardson’s finishing position in the 100m final?
- Sha’Carri Richardson finished in second place, winning the silver medal.
- Why was Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce unable to compete in the 100m final?
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was locked out of the stadium and withdrew from the semi-finals due to a suspected hamstring injury.
- What significant achievement did Julien Alfred accomplish with her win?
- Julien Alfred’s victory marked the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Saint Lucia.
- What was the reaction to Richardson’s silver medal?
- The reaction was mixed, with some seeing it as a “downer” but many acknowledging her strong performance and resilience in securing a podium finish.
