Julien Alfred reveals how beating Sha'Carri Richardson in the semifinals helped her to win the 100m title at Paris Olympics

2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred this week shed light on the effect that her women's 100m semifinal victory had on her, at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This comes just a month after the Saint Lucian sprinter concluded her 2024 track and field season at the Brussels Diamond League.

At the Paris Games, Alfred ran in the second semifinal of the 100m, alongside reigning world champion Sha'Carri Richardson. As the race turned out, Alfred got the better of the American sprinter, defeating her by 0.05 seconds.

This was the first time in the 2024 season that Alfred had defeated Richardson over the distance. Speaking about this semifinal contest, Alfred said this victory over Richardson gave her a huge boost in confidence before the final, where she went on to win her first Olympic gold medal.

She was asked on the latest episode of the "Out D Blocks" podcast whether the final was her "race to lose," having beaten the world champion in the semifinal heat. Alfred replied,

"After that semifinal I gained so much confidence and you know crossing the line and just executing such a good race in the semifinal and even like slowing down in the last five meters of the race" (11:50).

"I knew I had it in the bag as long as I go out there and execute and do what my coach and I have been working on for such a long time in the final. I knew I had it in the bag. I was relaxed as possible and I think the way the semifinals turned out was the best thing that happened to me."

Julien Alfred and Sha'Carri Richardson had only met once this season before their clash at the 100m semifinals. This came at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene where Richardson got the better of her Saint Lucian rival.

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Julien Alfred opens up on reception in St Lucia after heading home following Olympic victory

Alfred during the 2024 Paris Olympics 100m finals at the Stade de France (Image via Getty Images)

Julien Alfred recently reacted to the graceful welcome she received from the people of her country upon visiting Saint Lucia for the first time after her Olympic success.

To welcome her, a huge crowd of people gathered around the streets of Saint Lucia and received her with traditional dances and music. Touched by this, Alfred said (via Saint Lucia Loop News),

"I have dreamt of this day for such a long time—just being an inspiration to the youth of St Lucia, wanting to give back and wanting to inspire them."

To honor Alfred's stunning performance at the Paris Games, the government of Saint Lucia had also declared September 27 as "Julien Alfred Day."