The U.S. world champion Sha’Carri Richardson overcame a slow start to pass Alfred in the final stretch, reversing the Paris 2024 result.
Sha’Carri Richardson edged out Julien Alfred in an exciting women’s 100m race at the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League meet on Thursday, September 5.
In their first matchup since the Paris 2024 final on August 3 at Stade de France, where Alfred triumphed to become her nation’s first Olympic gold medalist, the Saint Lucian sprinter once again had the quickest start.
Competing on a rain-drenched track at Letzigrund Stadium, 2023 world champion Richardson had a slow start and was in fifth place midway through the race. But she found her rhythm, overtaking a strong field to claim victory in 10.84 seconds.
Alfred finished second in 10.88, reversing their Olympic placements, while Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain took third with a solid time of 10.89.
Zurich Diamond League – Women’s 100m Final Standings:
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA): 10.84
- Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) – 10.88
- Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain) – 10.89
- Marie-Josée Ta Lou (Ivory Coast) – 10.93
- Tamari Davis (USA) – 11.06
- Tia Clayton (Jamaica): 11.09
- Daryll Neita (Great Britain) – 11.11
- Mujinga Kambundji (Switzerland) – 11.14
- Gina Bass (The Gambia) – 11.17
Who is Julien Alfred?
Julien Alfred is the Saint Lucian tracker. She fulfilled a lifelong dream, experiencing a rare moment of Olympic triumph that few have ever seen. The Saint Lucian track sensation won gold in the women’s 100m final at the Stade de France on Saturday during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Alfred won a thrilling race over American star Sha’Carri Richardson, etching her name in the annals of her sport and becoming Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medalist.
While this victory catapulted Alfred to global fame, she entered the 100-meter final as a relatively unknown name to casual Olympic viewers. However, in track and field circles, she has long been recognized as a standout athlete, particularly during her tenure at the University of Texas from 2018 to 2023.
Alfred dominated the NCAA during her final two undergraduate seasons (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). She won the 100m and 4x100m relay events at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships, as well as the 60m and 200m at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships. After finishing her collegiate career, she defeated Richardson in the 100m at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
Alfred qualified for the women’s 100m final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and finished fifth, 0.28 seconds behind Richardson, who won gold. She also finished fourth in the 200 meters, after Jamaican Shericka Jackson and Americans Gabrielle Thomas and Richardson.
In a highly anticipated rematch, Sha’Carri Richardson triumphed over Julien Alfred in the 100m race at the Zurich Diamond League. With a late surge, Richardson secured victory in 10.84 seconds, reversing their Olympic result and reaffirming her status as one of the world’s top sprinters.
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