“I am still going in as the one to hunt. I am not a reigning world or Olympic champion. I don’t have any individual titles to my name.” Melissa Jefferson’s words after her victory in Brussels underline how quickly the balance of power has shifted in women’s sprinting. Less than a year ago in Paris, Julien Alfred stood atop the podium with Olympic gold while Jefferson-Wooden left with bronze. Now, as the World Championships approach in Tokyo, the American enters undefeated over 100 meters this season, carrying the fastest time in the world. And the contrast between their Olympic outcomes and their 2025 seasons could not be sharper.

Alfred, the pride of Saint Lucia, opened her campaign with wins in Oslo (10.89) and Stockholm (10.75). She followed that with a determined performance in M

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