Olympic champion Julien Alfred has reacted with pride and determination after defeating American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100-meter sprint at the Diamond League final in Brussels on Friday night.
Alfred, who ended her 2024 season on a high note, claimed victory in 10.88 seconds, leaving Richardson far behind in eighth place with a time of 11.23 seconds.
The race saw Alfred gain an early lead that she never relinquished, finishing ahead of British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, who secured second place with a time of 10.92 seconds.
For Alfred, this victory was more than just a win — it was a statement. Following her earlier defeat to Richardson in Zurich, Alfred was determined to prove that she was not a fleeting sensation but a force to be reckoned with in the sprinting world.
“I am so happy, it feels amazing to finish my season on a good note and to take the win. I am just so proud of myself. My preparation was a bit difficult, it was really hard for me after Zurich,” Alfred shared during her post-race interview.
She went on to express how the Zurich loss fueled her desire to make a strong comeback.
Alfred confessed that the preparation leading into Brussels was challenging, but the disappointment in Zurich pushed her to train harder and refocus.
“But I think that actually prepared me for Brussels. That gave me the energy to do so good today,” she continued.
“And during the race, I tried to relax and enjoy the last race of my season. But I think losing kind of put me up again. I had to perform. I wanted to prove to myself that I deserve to be here and that I am not a one-time thing.”
This victory is a significant chapter in Alfred’s journey, and she emphasized that the doubts from others only added fuel to her competitive fire. After her loss to Richardson, Alfred admitted to watching the race on YouTube and reading the comments, many of which suggested she was a “one-time thing.”
“Because after Zurich, I watched the race on YouTube to analyze my race, and I read some comments that said I was a one-time thing, and that’s really not nice to say,” she revealed.
“But I was here to prove to myself that I can win. But sometimes those comments can be very hard.”
Reflecting on her triumphant season, Alfred expressed excitement about returning home to Saint Lucia and taking a well-deserved break.
“And now I am going back to Saint Lucia and to Aruba! Last year I stayed in Austin, but not this year,” she said with a smile.
Alfred’s victory caps off a remarkable 2024 season, during which she also made history at the Paris Olympics, winning her country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters with a stunning time of 10.72 seconds.
She also added a silver medal in the 200 meters, cementing her status as one of the brightest stars in the world of track and field.
Before her meteoric rise on the international stage, Alfred was a standout at the University of Texas, where she became a seven-time national champion and helped lead the Longhorns to the 2023 NCAA Championship in outdoor track and field.
