Julien Alfred Overcomes Struggles to Make Olympic History

Julien Alfred a 23-year-old athlete from St Lucia, overcame significant personal and mental struggles to become an Olympic champion. After losing her father at 12 and leaving home at 14 to pursue her Olympic dreams, Alfred faced a breakdown early in the season.  She struggled with mental health, feeling overwhelmed by pressure and self-doubt. Although she came close to quitting, her coach, Edrick Floreal motivated her by asking, “Are you ready to be an Olympic champion?” His confidence in her inspired her to keep going.

Alfred’s journey ultimately reached its peak at the Paris 2024 Olympics. There, she made history by winning the 100m gold in 10.72 seconds, beating world champion Sha’Carri Richardson. In doing so, she claimed St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic gold and the nation’s first medal at the Games. The victory carried immense emotional weight as Alfred’s father, who had supported her early career, could not witness the achievement. “It hurt me that he was not with me,” she admitted.

Her path to the top was not without its challenges. Along the way, Alfred encountered both highs and lows. For instance, she achieved early success in youth competitions and international events including a Commonwealth Games medal and World Indoor 60m gold. However, Alfred almost withdrew from competition after feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of expectations. Nevertheless, prioritizing her mental well-being, she took a break and later found her breakthrough.

In July, she achieved a 200m personal best and followed that up with a silver in the 200m at the Paris Games. Upon her return to St Lucia, Julien Alfred received a hero’s welcome. The nation lined the streets for her motorcade and the country declared a national holiday in her honor. Looking ahead, Alfred aims to use her platform to inspire others and promote St Lucia globally. She also wants to help develop athletics in her home country.