When these two female athletes face each other for the first time in the Zurich Diamond League since the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the start of the new Olympic quadruple, they will take the latest competition in women's short distance to the next stage.

The women's 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics seems to mark a change in direction for women's sprinting.

On that night in Paris, the top three contestants were all born in 2000 or later, with only one Jamaican competing - Tia Clayton, also born in 2000.

Not on the starting line? Elaine Thompson Herah and Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, two veterans, have won their first four championships, while World Championships silver medalist Shericka Jackson is also absent due to injury.

On Thursday (September 5th), the gold and silver medalists Julian Alfred and Shakari Richardson will face each other for the first time since the rainy Saturday night at the Stade de France on August 3rd. They hope to take the women's 100m to the next stage, and this competition seems to be budding.

The World Diamond League in Zurich will be the backdrop for the next stage of this fascinating game, and this is Richardson's first opportunity to remind Alfred and the world why she is the world champion.

Women's 100m Final | Athletics | 2024 Paris Olympics, without Jamaica's favorites, but entering Julien Alfred

Alfred has been knocking on the door of the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, in most cases, as the national championship and selection rounds approach, almost all of the sprint hype is focused on Richardson facing the Jamaican in Paris. Which Jamaicans will be selected for this team and how quickly will they compete against Richardson, who defeated them in the 100 meter race and won the bronze medal in the world 200 meter race at the 2023 World Championships?

It won't be Thompson Herah - she missed the Jamaica qualifying tournament due to injury. Shortly before the Olympics, Jackson withdrew from the 100 meter race and focused on the 200 meter race (which she eventually skipped).

Therefore, when it was announced that Sherry Ann Fraser Price would not participate in the semifinals after being injured during warm-up, it meant there would definitely be a new Olympic champion, making Richardson a popular candidate.

Julien Alfred tore up the script and wrote his name into Saint Lucia's first Olympic medalist (and champion) record book in 10.72 seconds.

Alfred will also continue to win the silver medal in the 200 meters, while Richardson was not selected after finishing fourth in the US trials.

All of this means that the new generation of female sprinters - Alfred and Richardson, as well as 23-year-old Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson, 20-year-old Clayton, and 25-year-old Titi Terry - have finally stood out.

Yes, Jackson will make a comeback from injury and continue to pose a threat in two short distance races - she ultimately became the world 200 meter champion and is still only 30 years old - but it does feel like Paris is changing from Thompson Hera and Fraser Price to the next exciting group.

Richardson is clearly disappointed to miss the individual 100m gold medal, which lays a good foundation for the athletes to enter the next Olympic quadruple. Richardson, Jefferson, and Terry will finish at LA28's home stadium, and there will be a noisy home audience at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Julien Alfred, as the defending Olympic champion, can play a role in the quadruple. After all, there is nothing more exciting than competition.

All of this will continue on Thursday in Zurich.