Julian Alfred, a former Texas sprinter, defeated Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100-meter sprint to win the title of fastest woman in the world at the Paris Olympics. She supported that assertion on Friday night at Brussels, Belgium’s King Baudouin Stadium.

Alfred finished her 2024 track season on a positive note by taking an early lead in the women’s 100-meter Diamond League Final, which she never gave up. Richardson finished the race in 11.23 seconds, while the former Longhorn finished in 10.88 seconds. With a time of 10.92 seconds, Dina Asher-Smith came in second.

Alfred took 10.72 seconds to cross the finish line at the Olympics. Melissa Jefferson, who won the bronze medal, finished in 10.92 seconds, with Richardson clocking in at 10.87 seconds. The slowest 100-meter time Richardson has run this year was 11.23 in the Diamond League Final.

The first-ever Olympic medal won by Saint Lucia was Alfred’s gold medal in the games. A few days later, she increased her total when she won a silver medal in the 200-meter competition.

Alfred was a seven-time University of Texas national champion prior to taking home the gold. During the outdoor track and field season in her last year as a Longhorn, Alfred guided Texas to the 2023 NCAA championship. In 2023, she was also awarded the Bowerman Award.