Sha’Carri Richardson has earned her first Olympic medal!
Although she aimed to become the world’s fastest woman, it was 23-year-old Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia who claimed the gold, winning the 100-meter race in 10.72 seconds. This marked the largest margin of victory in the women’s Olympic 100 meters since 2008, when Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica won by 0.20 seconds. Notably, Fraser-Pryce and her team did not compete in the relay this year, according to CBS News.
It’s been 28 years since Team USA sent two women to the podium in the 100 at the Olympic Games.
In 1996, Gail Devers and Gwen Torrence took gold and bronze in Atlanta. Last night, Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson earned silver and bronze at #Paris2024 🤩🇺🇸… pic.twitter.com/ULJmJPzt6x
— USATF (@usatf) August 4, 2024
Richardson’s teammate and training partner, Melissa Jefferson, won the bronze medal, making this the first time two American women stood on the podium in the 100 meters at the Olympics since 1996, when Gail Devers and Gwen Torrence took gold and bronze in Atlanta.
Julien Alfred just won the FIRST Olympic medal EVER for Saint Lucia! 🇱🇨 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/2GP4jATT2g
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
The Stade de France was filled with fans cheering for Richardson, but Alfred’s performance gave Saint Lucia its first-ever Olympic medal. Alfred’s victory brought immense pride to her home country, and she expressed her joy at representing Saint Lucia on such a global stage.
Saint Lucia had never won an Olympic medal, ever, until this evening.
The people of Castries gathered to watch Julien Alfred in the women’s 100m final.
You love to see it. 🇱🇨 pic.twitter.com/EjYgb6oDhe
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) August 3, 2024
Alfred and Richardson did not attend the post-race press conference, but Jefferson shared her excitement at winning a medal, saying she was determined not to leave the Games empty-handed.
Saint Lucia's first ever Olympic champion, and it's the women's 100m.
It doesn't get better than this. 🇱🇨❤️ pic.twitter.com/HS63DLUHJ0
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 3, 2024
Richardson, who is the reigning world and national champion, secured her silver medal after being disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics due to a positive marijuana test.
Can we take a moment to celebrate the pure joy of Melissa Jefferson after winning her 100m bronze 🥹🫶🏾
(📸 Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/1wuNc8fwLx
— highlightHER (@HighlightHER) August 3, 2024
This year, she aimed to prove her resilience and skill on the world stage, with another opportunity to win gold in the upcoming 4×100-meter relay.
