Saint Lucian skips through the Parisian puddles to become her nation's first ever Olympic champion

In a Paris deluge, it was Julien Alfred who reigned supreme as she became St Lucia’s first ever Olympic champion, storming to women’s 100m gold in a blistering 10.72 (0.1).

Her national record, the fourth-fastest ever at the Olympics and the eighth-fastest of all time, put her free and clear of world champion Sha’Carri Richardson (10.87) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92), the American duo unable to wrest control from Alfred who looked in total control from start to finish.

Britain’s Daryll Neita finished an agonising fourth in 10.96, the best showing by a British female athlete in an Olympic sprint final for 64 years.

Earlier this year, there was a huge reception for Alfred in her home country after she secured the world indoor 60m title in Glasgow. She can expect an even bigger one now.

“I’m going to start crying," said the 23-year-old. "I’ve been trying to stay strong as much as possible. It means a lot to me, my coach, my country, which I’m sure is celebrating now.

“You don’t ever see me celebrate like that ever. I’m just happy it happened in the biggest race of my career. I’m going to be honest. I watched Usain Bolt's races this morning. I watched how he executed. I grew up watching him."

As if the showpiece sprints don’t attract enough attention, controversy swirled around the Stade de France even before the semi-final stage had taken place.

Social media footage appeared to show Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce struggling to get into the warm-up venue, with reports suggesting the security glitch was due to regulations related to the route athletes need to take if they are not staying the in the athletes’ village.

Both did ultimately get in but Fraser-Pryce, the 2008 and 2012 champion, withdrew from the competition with what was believed to be a hamstring injury. "It is difficult for me to find words to describe the depth of my disappointment," she wrote in a statement on social media.

The Jamaican had been due to race in the same semi-final as Alfred and Richardson and, again, the St Lucian looked convincing when she won in 10.84 to Richardson’s 10.89. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, however, was unable to progress to the final, having finished fifth in the opening race with 11.10.

When the finalists took to their starting blocks, they did so in a heavy downpour but Alfred was completely untroubled and flew through the puddles.

Her rise to the very top of the sport has been rapid – winning numerous NCAA titles last year and having finished fifth in last year’s World Championships 100m final and fourth in the 200m. With the half-lap event to come, there is another shot a glory.

In the run-up to the 100m, Alfred had spoken about her performances having an impact at home and it didn't take long for her to start speaking about the bigger picture.

“Growing up, I used to be on the field struggling, with no shoes, running barefoot, running in my school uniform, running all over the place. We barely have the right facilities. The stadium is not fixed. I hope this gold medal will help St Lucia build a new stadium, to help the sport grow.”

For Neita, there was some satisfaction at reaching a second Olympic final, but a lingering sense of pain at just missing out on a medal.

"Words can’t describe how I am feeling right now," she said. "I was so close to that medal that I dreamed of my whole life, but I do think I put together a good race and it was competitive.

"I put together a good race. It’s the Olympic final and I came fourth. In my last Olympic final I came last, so it’s an amazing progression, but I really wanted that medal. So I am going to carry this feeling that I have into the 200m."