Dominating Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred Shares Honest Take on Upcoming Track and Field Season: “Lot Harder”
Julien Alfred has been on a dream run since the Paris Olympics. As the camera panned to the St. Lucian athlete, most of the buzz surrounded Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s mysterious absence. However, as soon as the race began, it was clear that all eyes would soon be on Alfred. Running a blistering 10.72 seconds, she shattered the hopes of the crowd-favorite Sha’Carri Richardson, leaving audiences worldwide in awe.
By beating the likes of Richardson, Alfred made history, becoming the first female athlete from Saint Lucia to win an Olympic gold medal. This wasn’t a one-off triumph either—the rivalry continued at the Diamond League final, where Alfred once again showed her prowess, outperforming Richardson. Steady in her composure, Alfred’s performances proved that her victory was no fluke.
Julien Alfred Braces for a Tough Season Ahead
Wrapping up her remarkable season, there was still one more challenge where Alfred wanted to outshine Richardson, and she did—winning the Female Athlete of the Year award. It was the perfect ending to her breakthrough season. But with great achievements come greater expectations. As Alfred looks forward to maintaining her dominance in the upcoming season, she knows that defending a title is often harder than winning it for the first time.
In a recent FloTrack podcast, Alfred opened up about her preparations, saying, “Oh my God, training has been so different this year. It’s been a lot harder than before, thanks to Flo. But you know, now the Olympics is over, and we’re preparing for World Championships next year in September, I believe.” Alfred knows that every race is a new beginning, and she is determined to stay hungry and motivated, eyeing another gold—this time at the World Championships—as she takes on her fiercest rivals from the U.S. and Jamaica.
A New Era of Women’s Sprinting
Julien Alfred’s journey from her Olympic gold in Paris to her ongoing preparations has been one of breaking barriers. She has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting athletes to watch in this new era of women’s sprinting. However, with the relentless competition from Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson, the upcoming championship season poses a crucial question: Can Alfred retain her title as the world’s fastest woman?
For Alfred, it’s not just about outrunning competitors but also staying true to her personal motivation. As she mentioned, “My motivation is to be the best in the world, to be my best self, the best athlete I can be, and to prove to myself that I belong here. That’s my source of motivation.” Moreover, her love for Saint Lucia serves as her most significant inspiration. With pride, she declared, “For me, it’s just getting to the point that I want to get to, working hard towards that, putting my country on the map, proving to myself that I belong among the great athletes.”
But Julien Alfred is more than just an athlete—she is a proud ambassador of her homeland. While she takes immense pride in her Lucian identity, she also acknowledges the influence of Jamaica’s rich sprinting legacy on her journey. Training in Jamaica as a teenager exposed her to a culture of excellence forged by legends like Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. “When you hear Jamaica, you know about sprinting, the top athletes… One of the reasons I went to Jamaica was because of the sprint culture… Wanting to be a part of that culture,” said Alfred. And now, with her roots firmly in Saint Lucia and her aspirations molded by the world’s best, she stands ready to inspire the next generation of sprinters.
Julien Alfred, the 23-year-old sprint sensation, is not just defending her crown—she’s looking to build a lasting legacy, fueled by determination, pride, and the unyielding spirit of a champion.
