Julien Alfred etched her name in Olympic history by clinching the gold medal in the women’s 100m final in Paris, finishing with a stunning time of 10.72 seconds. The 23-year-old athlete now holds the title of the fastest woman on the planet this year.
Before her victory, Alfred was the second-fastest woman globally, trailing only the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson. However, she surpassed Richardson, who was widely favored in the women’s 100m events this year, establishing herself as the new leader in the sprint world.
According to The Athletic, Alfred’s win in the 100m final was the most extended margin in a women’s Olympic 100m final since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s gold medal win in 2008 in Beijing.
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Here are five things to know about the new Olympic gold medalist from Saint Lucia:
- First St. Lucian Track Athlete to Reach a World Championships Final
Alfred was born and raised in Saint Lucia, an island nation in the Caribbean with only about 180,000 residents. Alfred became the first St. Lucian track athlete to reach a final at the World Championships in Budapest. In 2023, she secured a gold medal and two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics, demonstrating her growth and passion for the sport.
2. St. Lucia’s Women’s 100m National Record Holder
Alfred set a new national record for St. Lucia in the 100m with her performance at the Paris Olympics. She was also the first teenager to win a medal for the nation and the first woman and athlete to do so.
3. National Collegiate Athletic Association All-Time Record Holder
Alfred holds the all-time record at the NCAA Championships in the 60m with a time of 7.04 seconds, making her the fastest woman from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. She was also the first St. Lucian track athlete to win a Division I championship.
4. 200m National Record Holder
At 23, Alfred is also the national record holder in the 200m for St. Lucia. She secured three gold medals in the past year, one each from the World Championships in 2023, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. Her career trajectory shifted significantly after 2023, as she aimed to excel in multiple events, not just the 100m.
5. US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Athlete of the Year in 2023
Alfred was named the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Athlete of the Year in 2023 and the Big 12 Athlete of the Year the same year. More accolades are expected to follow for the St. Lucian star in the coming years.
6. Trained by Track and Field Coach Edrick Floréal
Alfred’s coach, Edrick Floréal, is a former triple jump bronze medalist from the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, where he represented Canada. He began training the 23-year-old in 2018 when he took over as the head coach of Track and Field. Floréal’s guidance set the stage for Alfred to become a history-making athlete.
7. Former University of Texas Athelete
Julien Alfred is a former University of Texas athlete. She attended Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School from 2013 to 2015 and graduated from Saint Catherine High School in Jamaica between 2015 and 2018. At the University of Texas, she studied Youth and Community Studies while also excelling as a track athlete. Her time at Texas marked her emergence as a top-tier athlete, balancing both sports and academics.
8. Lost Father at the Age of 12
Alfred lost her father at the age of 12. Her mother, Joanna Alfred, provided essential support in her upbringing and personal development, which significantly contributed to her success. Alfred dedicated her victory in the final to her late father, who passed away in 2013.
