Julian Alfred made history by winning St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal by triumphing in the women’s 100m race, pipping the USA’s world champion Sha’Carri Richardson. Team GB’s Daryll Neita came agonisingly close to the podium, finishing 0.04 behind American bronze medal winner Melissa Jefferson.
One of the most highly-anticipated events at the 2024 Olympics didn’t disappoint as Alfred stormed to an incredible victory at the Stade de France.
The 23-year-old’s gold medal followed a statement semi-final win, firmly placing St Lucia on the map in the grandest way possible.
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“It would be a proud moment not just for me and for my family but also for my country,” Alfred explained in the build-up.
Richardson entered as the favourite after clinching the world title in Budapest last year but cut a nervous figure as she took to the track.
And a slow start cost the 24-year-old, who did well to recover and win silver as a consolation prize, the first Olympic medal of her career.
Jefferson made it a two-three for the USA on the podium, but it was heartbreak for Team GB’s Neita, who put together a strong race.
Earlier this year, Neita told BBC Sport how much an individual Olympic medal would mean to her after winning bronze in the 4x100m relay at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
She said: “My goals are through the roof. I don’t put limits on myself at all. It would mean the world to me [to win an individual medal].
“I have put in so much work to be in this position. It would be all of that hard work and dedication paying off.
“One thing I always say is: ‘Be a bit delusional.’ Believe in yourself, keep going and don’t give up.”
But the second-fastest British woman in history brutally fell short, crossing the line in fourth and failing to add to her five global medals.
Neita was understandably frustrated after the race but wasted no time in looking ahead for the individual 200m, which represents another chance.
“I’m finding it hard to find words at the minute, literally speechless, so close to the medal, so close,” the 27-year-old explained.
“I think I put a good race together. I came fourth in the final; it’s an amazing progression – I was last in the final last time. I can only bring this fight into the 200m because I’m there.
“I’m lost for words at the minute. I’m healthy and I have the 200m to contest in. I was so close to that medal, and I really wanted that medal. But fourth in the Olympics is something to be proud of.
“I just embraced it. I’m from the UK. The rain didn’t deter me at all. I really, really, really wanted that medal. I need to recover because I’m in the 200m.”
