Alfred beats Jefferson-Wooden in Diamond League opener

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred stormed to victory in the women’s 200m, defeating the reigning World champion at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea Wanda Diamond League meeting on Thursday, June 4, at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

Alfred, who will turn 25 next week, finished in 21.93 seconds with a 1.3 metre-per-second tailwind. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, the American who won both the 100m and 200m titles at the World Championships in Tokyo last year, started well, but ended in 22.17 seconds for second place.

This was Alfred’s first Diamond League race of the season. She is a two-time defending champion in the 100m on the circuit.

She currently holds the world’s fastest time for 2026, having run 21.86 in April. Thursday’s race was her sixth fastest ever, even though she had a shaky start.

Jefferson-Wooden was starting her season after a nine-month break. During that time, she spent her honeymoon in Saint Lucia.

Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden are set to face each other again in the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic on July 4.

(Terry Finisterre)