Richardson, Sha’Carri

Ben ShpigelTalya MinsbergChang W. LeeGabriela Bhaskar and Julien Alfred, the fastest woman in the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia, blitzed the field in the 100-meter dash Saturday night at the Paris Games to earn a far more awesome title — the fastest woman in the world.Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York TimesShe swiped the distinction from Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States, who claimed it at the world championships last year but could not retain it at these Olympics. In a driving rain in Saint-Denis, France, Alfred finished in 10.72 seconds, 0.15 clear of Richardson, who was slow off the starting block and never seriously threatened.Chang W. Lee/The New York TimesGabriela Bhaskar for The New York TimesWhen the results were shown at the Stade de France, Alfred jumped for joy and jogged to the bell set up on the edge of the track for gold medalists to ring. After winning Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal ever, Alfred wrapped herself in her nation’s flag, sobbing as she fell to her knees before being embraced by Richardson and Melissa Jefferson of the United States, who won the bronze.Chang W. Lee/The New York TimesChang W. Lee/The New York TimesBidding to become the first American since Gail Devers in 1996 to win the 100 at the Games, Richardson, 24, could not claim the gold in the race she thought she would do so in three years ago at the Tokyo Games, when she was suspended after testing positive for marijuana.Daniel Berehulak/The New York TimesDaniel Berehulak/The New York TimesRichardson arrived in France as the 100-meter world champion. She will leave it as the fastest woman in the United States — but the second-fastest in the world. More