Women's 100m Olympic champion, Julien Alfred, has recalled her childhood struggles in a quest to pursue her career as an athlete.

Alfred beat pre-games favourite, Sha'Carri Richardson to claim the gold medal in the women's 100m final on Saturday, crossing the finish line at 10.72s which doubled as National Record.

The victory, which marks a significant milestone not just for her but for her home country of Saint Lucia, and she hopes the victory will convince government to build a new stadium to help the sport.

“It means a lot to me, my coach, my country, which I’m sure is celebrating now,” Alfred said as quoted by World Athletics.

Alfred's win in the 100m sprint has not only brought her personal glory but also shone a spotlight on her nation's athletic potential.

Reflecting on her journey, she recounted, “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.

"I hope this gold medal will help Saint Lucia build a new stadium, to help the sport grow," she admonished.

The 23-year-old’s achievement is especially poignant as she has dreamt of this moment since childhood. “I had dreamed since I was a child of becoming St Lucia’s first Olympic medallist and it turned out to be gold,” she said.

“I definitely knew my nation would be watching.

"I feel honoured to be an ambassador for my country. Not many people know about Saint Lucia. Sometimes people ask me where it is. Now, as an Olympic champion, people will be searching for Saint Lucia.

"I'm proud to wear my country’s name across my chest and represent them. I’m looking forward to celebrating with them when I go home," Alfred concluded, looking forward to sharing her success with her compatriots.