Julien Alfred’s journey to Olympic 100-meter success began with an unexpected yet transformative recommendation from her primary school librarian, who directed her to her first-ever coach.
This pivotal moment led to a career that saw Alfred capture gold in the women’s 100-meter dash at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a historic achievement for Saint Lucia and ending Jamaica’s dominance in the event.
Alfred’s success is a tale of perseverance, marked by significant moments of guidance and growth. Early on, her exceptional speed on the track caught the attention of her school librarian, who reached out to coach Cuthbert Modeste.
“My school librarian spoke to my childhood coach to allow me to join a club,” Alfred revealed in an interview with FloTrack. “That coach realized my talent, even when I stopped, and came back to look for me. That’s when I realized I had potential to do something good.”
Alfred’s career faced a major setback after the loss of her father in 2013, forcing her to step away from track and field. Yet, a supportive community encouraged her return, propelling her forward.
At age 14, Alfred moved to Jamaica to attend St. Catherine High School, where she gained valuable experience competing in the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships. “Jamaica taught me how to compete in front of a large crowd,” Alfred noted during a separate interview with SportsMax TV. “Nothing could have prepared me more than Boys and Girls Champs.”
In 2018, Alfred made history by winning Saint Lucia’s first-ever medal at the Youth Olympic Games, securing a silver in the 100m. Reflecting on this achievement, she told Olympics.com, “I think that was the beginning of something great. It influenced my choices in going to college, so I think it was a really good experience for me.”
Alfred’s ultimate achievement came in Paris, where she claimed her Olympic gold, becoming the first Saint Lucian athlete to do so. Her victory not only cemented her place in history but also brought immense pride to her Caribbean nation.
Looking back on her journey, Alfred shared words of wisdom with her younger self: “To my younger self, I would just say to never give up because it is going to get hard. There will be times where you feel like throwing in the towel, especially when you don’t know what life will throw at you. There are sacrifices you are going to have to make along the way.”
