Saint-Lucian Julien Alfred sprang a surprise by winning the Olympic 100 m with authority, ahead of a disappointing Sha'Carri Richardson.
Nothing really went according to plan at the Stade de France on Saturday evening. Sha'Carri Richardson was expected to be crowned Olympic champion, resuming her 2023 world title and her excellent trials (10" 71 in Eugene at the end of June). But the 24-year-old American was soundly beaten in the heavy rain, which was also not on the programme.
The darling of the US media and sponsors had to be content with second place, in 10" 87, behind the formidable Julien Alfred, who set a new Saint Lucia record in 10" 72 (-0.1 m/s), a tenth slower than Elaine Thompson in Tokyo three years ago.
Yes, the new 100 m Olympic champion comes from the Caribbean, from an island with a population of less than 200,000, and it was a considerable surprise to see this small country at such a party. As she crossed the line after a perfect race, from start to finish, Alfred (23) didn't seem to believe what had just happened, and she was obviously not the only one, in the stands and across the planet.
Richardson still sticking to her blocks
Fraser-Pryce (37) was the big absentee of the evening, as we learned of "Mommy Rocket's" withdrawal just a few minutes before the semi-finals, due to a hamstring injury sustained in the warm-up. She therefore left Alfred and Richardson to explain themselves to each other in the same semi-final. And already, the Saint-Lucian (10" 84) had slipped ahead of the American (10" 89), who got off to an average start, as is often the case.
The scenario was repeated an hour and a half later in the final, in the rain and a rather cool wind. In an impressive silence, barely disturbed by the hum of the helicopter blades providing aerial shots, the starter's pistol shot set the gold contenders free. But Richardson once again stuck to her blocks, and was never able to catch up with Alfred.
A move to Jamaica at the age of 14
At the age of 12, Alfred lost her father Julian. It's a tragedy she'd rather not talk about, but one that has shaped part of her destiny. Two years later, she moved to Jamaica to live and train, a far cry from the barefoot, impromptu racing sessions of her childhood.
"Jamaica is sprint country, it's the Caribbean. I didn't hesitate to go there, even if it wasn't easy to leave my close friends and family behind at that age," she explained in a shy but determined voice. It's very important for me to represent my country to the best of my ability, which not many people knew about before I achieved such good results. People used to say to me: "Saint Lucia, but where is that?" Now we're on the map, I think I've helped draw attention to my country. And if it helps tourism (laughs)!"
Google searches on her country must already have reached a global peak, on Saturday evening. The woman who grew up admiring Usain Bolt has yet to meet her idol. That, too, should change very quickly. He's won so many medals, just this morning I watched a lot of his races," breathed the new Olympic champion in the mixed zone, before her voice broke with emotion in response to a question about the death of her father. I want to spare a thought for God, and for my father who couldn't see me win this title. This medal is for him, I miss him so much. He would have been so proud to see his daughter compete in the Olympics." And win them.
(L'Équipe)