Ahead of Facing Sha’Carri Richardson and Co, Julien Alfred Expresses “Fear” Going Into….
For Julien Alfred, unthinkable celebrations are waiting on the other side of the Diamond League final in Brussels. St. Lucia’s nativity has already announced her as the national hero after giving the country two individual Olympic medals at the Paris Olympics. One of those has come after defeating the most vibrant name in the women’s track sports right now, Sha’Carri Richardson. So the taste of achievement feels to be different, a near affair of being heavenly. But Alfred is not in the mood now to immerse herself, cherishing those accomplishments.
Rather, she is thinking about facing Richardson one last time this season, on the track. As per the schedule, the reigning Olympic champion will lock horns against the runner-up in the 100m event in the Diamond League final. The score between them is set at 2-2 this season after St. Lucian’s defeat to Sha’Carri in the Zurich Diamond League. Therefore, several things are at stake, especially regarding proving the undisputed reign in the women’s 100m event. This has created a fear in Alfred’s mind.
She knows the weight of the situation. And that timely evaluation has led her to say, “Sometimes we just have to look at the losses that we have and use it as motivation to get to where we want to go.” But on this route, one should watch her feet before landing on the ground. On this, Julien Alfred subsequently added, “You know the world is coming to an end when some things don’t go in our way.” Did she mean the Zurich loss by those words? On September 5, the track in the Zurich Diamond League was ready to host the Olympic rematch between Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred. The anticipation was high. But ultimately, the Dallas-born exited the track with the winner’s trophy and a grin on her face. And Alfred’s party was over. She failed to keep the momentum with her. After a week, she has a chance to move ahead. In such a moment, she wants to look back at her so far season, which has nothing short of folklore.
Before the Paris Olympics, Julien Alfred gifted a nail-biting performance in the London Diamond League. There, in the 200m event, she came from behind to take the runner-up position. As far as the 100m races are concerned, the 23-year-old has bagged both top and runner-up ranks in the previous Diamond League editions. Those accomplishments from this season have filled her urge to make a place in the world of athletics.
On that subject, Julien conceded, “Throughout this Diamond League season, I’ve really used my resources.” She also boasted overpowering nervy moments on the track and winning her flowers. However, throughout this endeavor, the world indoor champion has not seen anyone as her opponent. But would that thinking carry when she faces Sha’Carri Richardson on September 13?
After the Zurich Diamond League, Sha’Carri Richardson has seemed to double her effort to reclaim the throne of women’s 100m from Julien Alfred. Recently, she was seen practicing alongside Christian Coleman. In Brussels, she will look forward to shaving a few seconds from her timing in Jurich. But Julien Alfred does not seem to pay much attention to the scenes.
Rather, before the much-awaited event, she could say, “I never run against anyone, I do it for myself and just want to finish the season in style. For the same reason, I’m not focused on times either.” Moreover, she is not ready to term the 100m event as the revenge game. It could be a fine start in her career after her fifth-place finish in the 100m event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year. So, now the tone seems to be perfectly set for the event of Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred. Let’s not call it a revenge game anymore.