STOCKHOLM, Sweden, CMC – Julien Alfred continued her impressive start to the season with another dominant performance on her way to capturing gold in the women’s 100 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League here on Sunday.
Fresh from her win in Oslo last Thursday, the Saint Lucian Olympic champion showed why she is the world’s fastest woman by crossing the finish line in a meeting record of 10.75 seconds, the second-fastest time in the world this year.
It demolished the previous meet record of 10.90, which had been set by Irina Privalova in 1990.
Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain was a distant second in 10.93 seconds, while Ivorian veteran Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith was third in 11.00 seconds.
Alfred had Asher-Smith for the company in the first 50 meters but powered away in the second half of the race before eventually easing across the line.
The 24-year-old told reporters after the race that she was satisfied with her performance.
“After Oslo, I had to have a long chat with my coach, and he went through everything with me for today’s race,” Alfred said.
“He reassured me that I was in great shape because I was doubting myself. But I am happy today with how the race went.”
“The turnaround was short, but it is nothing new to me – I’ve done it before,” she said of the short three-day gap. “I shall be heading back to Austin for training now before Pre (Prefontaine Classic).”
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent had to settle for second in the women’s 100-meter hurdles in a time of 12.37 seconds, with American Grace Stark capturing gold in a lifetime best time of 12.33 seconds.
Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas placed fourth in a season’s best time of 12.59 seconds.
and then 