Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith arrived in Zurich carrying the confidence of a sprinter who had pieced together one of her most consistent seasons. Fresh off a string of Diamond League podium finishes, the Ivorian champion posted a season best of 10.90 seconds in Silesia and backed it up with strong runs in Lausanne and Eugene. And the Diamond League final promised another chance to extend her form. But it produced the one outcome she dreaded: Disqualification.

The crowd inside Letzigrund had expected another head-to-head contest among the fastest women in the world. Instead, it saw Ta Lou-Smith leave the blocks too early. The false start ruling ended her campaign before the gun was officially fired, and though she continued down the track in protest, the result was already final. That setback framed the night for Julien Alfred, who seized the moment to achieve something no American female sprinter has ever done.

The Olympic 100-meter champion from Saint Lucia clocked 10.76 seconds to claim the Zurich title, a mark that also established a Diamond League final record in the women’s 100 meters. “10.76s!!🔥,” read the official meet note from Track Gazette’s X post. While capturing the mix of precision and exhilaration that Alfred has brought back to the event after briefly stepping away earlier in August with a hamstring concern, Citius Mag added, “She’s BA-A-ACK 👋”

The race itself carried plenty of intrigue.

Alfred, still only 23, had withdrawn from two earlier meets this month, raising questions about her readiness. Those doubts evaporated as she held off Jamaica’s Tia Clayton, who ran 10.84 seconds but missed the automatic berth for Worlds. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith crossed third in 10.94, underlining her return to form after injuries disrupted her earlier season. Meanwhile, Ta Lou-Smith could only watch her competitors record official times after the judges confirmed her disqualification.

It was a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a steady campaign for the Ivorian. In addition to her 100-meter victory at the Brussia Grand Prix in Italy, she placed among the top three in major Diamond League stops at Oslo, Stockholm, and Rome. Her 200-meter season’s best of 22.37 seconds in Lausanne ranked her among the fastest in Europe this summer. Those results earned her a place in Zurich, where she had hoped to challenge Alfred and the Jamaicans one last time before the World Championships.

Meanwhile, the broader significance of Alfred’s win extends beyond Zurich.

Among women sprinters, no American has claimed a Diamond League final record in the 100 or 200 meters. The only U.S. athlete who owns such a distinction is Valarie Allman, who set the discus final record. Alfred now joins that exclusive group, rewriting the recent history of the event and sharpening her profile as the standard-bearer of a new generation. For Ta Lou-Smith, the evening was a harsh reminder of the margins that define sprinting. For Alfred, it was a declaration that her place at the top of the sport remains secure.

Meanwhile, Ta Lou-Smith will have to buckle up as she proceeds towards Tokyo next month. And while keeping her competitive spirit alive, she has also revealed that her friend and rival Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce inspired her to return to the track after her Paris 2024 disappointment.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s influence reignited Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith’s Olympic spirit

Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith had considered walking away from competition entirely after the strain of Paris 2024. The disappointment of another missed opportunity weighed heavily, compounded by the recurring pain that had followed her through much of her career. Yet one voice in particular persuaded her to continue.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a rival on the track but a trusted friend off it, became the influence that shifted her thoughts from resignation to renewal.

Fraser-Pryce’s decision to return for one last season gave Ta Lou-Smith both reassurance and motivation. She admitted, “This was a great thing because when I heard she was going to retire I was like…Ah no!” That sentiment captured not just admiration but also dependence on the presence of a figure who had guided and supported her in moments of doubt. The Jamaican champion’s resilience and longevity became a mirror for Ta Lou-Smith, who described her as “a true inspiration to all of us.” Those words reflected not only respect but also the recognition that her own journey might still hold value, even after setbacks.

The encouragement extended beyond Fraser-Pryce alone.

Ta Lou-Smith spoke of conversations with fellow athletes, particularly those who reminded her not to rush and instead allow her body and mind to recover. Yet Fraser-Pryce’s return anchored her decision. She said simply, “I pray that she stays healthy. I pray to see her at the World Champs again, to hug her and tell her how much I love her and how much she has been an inspiration to me.” It was not a declaration made lightly.

For Ta Lou-Smith, continuing to compete was no longer only about medals but about sustaining the bond with an athlete who had shaped her career at its most fragile stage.