American Track & Field Suffers Big Loss as Julien Alfred & Others Limit Diamond League Dreams

Diamond League final – Women’s 100m. From America, there was no Melissa- Jefferson Wooden, no Sha’Carri Richardson. On the other hand, Julien Alfred, the woman who beat Sha’Carri for Olympic gold, showed up to the race. And representing the track and field for the USA were Jacious Sears and Maia McCoy. But no good news came for the Americans from the race.

“Alfred gets a pretty good start, so does Jacious Sears right next to her as well,” the commentator announced as sprinters launched out of their blocks once the gunshot went off. But while Alfred and Jason banked on their starts, the Americans just could not. The 100m Olympic gold medalist was quick to the lead, Tina Clayton following her close.

The commentator announced, “It’s Clayton, Alfred, but Alfred goes away now. Alfred gets the meter,” as the Saint Lucian track and field athlete crossed the finish line for the win in 10.75 seconds. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton was second with 10.84 seconds on the clock, and Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith from Ireland took the third spot in 10.92 seconds. No American track and field athlete on the podium in the women’s 100m at the Diamond League final.

Jacious Sears was fifth, clocking a time of 10.96 seconds, while Maia McCoy was the seventh person to cross the line, recording 11.14s on the clock.

While the best track and field athletes in the discipline from America were not present, scoring not even one position on the podium in the women’s 100m Diamond League Finals is something that calls for introspection. Who can be the answer?

Can Melissa Jefferson-Wooden be the light for American track and field at the World Championships?

No doubt, Julien Alfred can absolutely derail American hopes in Tokyo.

In an interview after the win in the DL final, she mentioned, “I have tried to put it behind me, it’s a new year, and I mean, there are new goals that I want to accomplish. I know that being the Olympic champion, people never allow me to forget. I mean, my medals they’re in my storage room.” These are the same medals she claimed at the Paris Olympics, shattering America’s hope for a women’s 100m Olympic gold.

In Paris last year, Alfred clocked a national record of 10.72 seconds, securing Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal. Richardson finished second with a time of 10.87 seconds, while Melissa Jefferson took bronze in 10.92 seconds. And so, Jefferson, ahead of Sha’Carri, is one of the biggest hopes the American track and field community might have. She has now clocked a sub-10.7 twice, and that too in the same season. She might even have a plus over Julien, too. The reason?

At the 2025 Prefontaine Classic, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden edged out Olympic champion Julien Alfred in a thrilling 100m showdown, finishing 10.75 to Alfred’s 10.77. Jefferson-Wooden had been unstoppable all season, including a personal best of 10.65 at the U.S. Championships, while Alfred’s personal best is 10.72.

But anything can happen on any day in track and field. Who do you think would clinch the title?