By Mitch Phillips
PARIS (Reuters) – Julien Alfred delivered a brilliant gun-to-tape performance to win the women’s 100 metres final on Saturday and claim Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal.
Alfred made her usual slick start and remained clear in heavy rain on a sodden track to come home in a national record 10.72 seconds.
World champion and race favourite Sha’Carri Richardson took silver in 10.87 but the American never really threatened and her compatriot Melissa Jefferson claimed bronze in 10.92.
A notable absentee from the final was Jamaican double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who missed her semi-final after security officials at the Stade de France refused to let her in.
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)
