STREET. DENIS, France (AP) — The story of Sha’Carri Richardson’s comeback hit a brick wall Saturday when Julien Alfred won the 100 meters in 10. 72 seconds to blow up the box and give his island nation its first-ever Olympic medal. Saint Lucia.
Running down a lane to Richardson’s left, and in the pouring rain on the violet track of the Stade de France, Alfred got going and beat Richardson by 0. 15 seconds, or about 3 squares in length.
Richardson’s teammate, Melissa Jefferson, finished third in 10. 92 seconds.
– NBC Olympic and Paralympic Games (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Earlier Saturday, Richardson overcame a slow start to qualify for the Olympic 100-meter final. She also finished second behind Alfred, 0. 05 seconds off her time of 10. 84 in the semi-finals.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was unexpectedly eliminated from this semi-final, meaning the two-time Olympic champion was not competing for a third gold medal in this event.
Richardson and Alfred entered the race as the two in the Olympic field and recorded a time of 10. 8 seconds this year.
Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal meant that the entire podium of the last 100 Olympic meters, adding Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah, was not in the final.
No American has won Olympic gold in the 100 meters since Gail Devers in 1996. Marion Jones won the 100 meters in 2000, but was later stripped of the medal for doping.
Other medals up for grabs on Saturday include the men’s shot put, women’s triple jump, 4×400 medley relay and decathlon.
Earlier in the day, Noah Lyles ran (10. 04) in a slow first-round qualifying heat to advance to the semifinals of the men’s 100 meters. The semifinals and final are scheduled for Sunday.