Saint Lucia sprint goddest – Julien Alfred is hoping to become the first athlete to win an Olympic medal for the Eastern Caribbean island nation.
Juju, as she’s affectionately called have not looked back since she won gold medal in the 60 metres at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships at the Commonwealth Arena in Glasgow on March 02 having ran 6.98 seconds, beating Ewa Swoboda [7.00], and Zaynab Dosso [7.05].
In four 100m races this season, Alfred has produced times of 11.15 seconds [Texas Invitational on April 27], 10.93 seconds [Prefontaine Classic on May 25], a personal best 10.78 seconds [Racers Grand Prix on June 1], and 10.85 secondsat the Monaco Diamond League on July 12, the last two races resulting in wins.
In her two 200m races before the Diamond League London on Saturday, she ran 22.58 seconds at the Mt. Sac Relays on April 20 and 22.16 seconds at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial on July 9.
In the Diamond League London, however, Julien Alfred gave Gabby Thomas, the eventual winner a test of her life, leading from the blocks to the last 10 meters of the race where she finished second in 21.86 seconds, which is Saint Lucia’s new national 200m record.
Speaking in an interview, the Ciceron [Castries] born sprinter said she would love to clinch at least a medal in both the 100, and 200m in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris:
“I don’t know what to think!
“I felt strong in the race. I’m going back to Monocco to train and then I’m off to Paris. I’d love to get a medal in both, but most importantly I just want to have fun.
“It’s my first Games so having fun is important.”
By James K. Attaglo Wilson
