The upcoming Track and Field season is shaping up to be one exciting campaign. Top names across the globe will be eager to prove their fortitude once again. And they will be looking to secure a place in the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. Big names such as Noah Lyles and Gabby Thomas might be set for the event. But Olympic champion Julien Alfred might have to take the long road to secure the flight to Japan.

Julien Alfred made a massive announcement earlier this week as the St. Lucia star stated that she will be back in action at the Diamond League. Alfred has been confirmed for a Diamond League double. She will race the 100m in both Oslo on 12 June and Stockholm on 15 June. However, while this is exciting news for the fans, it seems like the track and field had a major reason for making the decision.

Diamond League Julien Alfred’s only door to World Championships

Talking to World Athletics, Julien Alfred revealed the crucial reason behind her decision to take part in the events. Unlike some top names who have multiple opportunities to secure a berth in Japan, Alfred is left with none barring the Diamond League.

The St. Lucia star stated. “The upcoming Diamond League season is very important because I won’t be having any trials for the World Championships. So, I hope these races put me closer to my goals for Japan.” 

Alfred isn’t the only star who has put her name in the hat for the Diamond League. Fellow Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo has also thrown his name in with the Botswana star set to be present at the Diamond League opener in Xiamen on April 26.

Julien Alfred will look to repeat her form from 2024 as the sprinter eyes first place in Oslo and Stockholm. Before her phenomenal form during the Olympics, Alfred picked up her maiden Diamond League win in Monaco after edging past the likes of Dina-Asher Smith and Tamari Davis.

Alfred has maintained her form post-Olympics. And the sprinter picked up the win in Brussels against a fired-up Sha’Carri Richardson, Marie Ta Lou-Smith, and Daryll Neita. Fans will hope that the star can keep her from running and secure a ticket to Japan. After all, it would be a shame if the 100m Olympic champion failed to make it to the World Championship due to the lack of ample qualifiers!