You might not have had Julien Alfred on your radar, but she certainly pulled a rabbit out of a hat! Well, at the Paris Olympics, when she stunned American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson to win gold in the 100 meters. With a lightning-fast time of 10.72 seconds, she not only clinched the gold but also set a new national record for Saint Lucia! Before this, Alfred was flying under the radar, but her impressive performances leading up to the Games really put her in the spotlight. After sharpening her skills at the University of Texas from 2018 to 2023, she now chose a different path, one that may not have been traditional but might certainly elevate her career.

Recently, Owen shared a post on X featuring an interview with Ato Bolden from October 16th. During the interview, Edrick Floreal, a former Olympian who coached Julien Alfred for the Paris Olympics, mentioned a detail that actually slipped from his mouth. He stated, “Every year we have a meeting, and I set the plan for the things we need to focus on. I’ll be the first to say that Julien will be running some 400 meters this year.” This revelation took Julien by surprise, and he quickly attempted to clarify, saying, “We’ll get ready for the 200.” However, it seems the reality may be shifting more toward the 400 meters.

While Julien Alfred has certainly made a splash as a top sprinter, with a personal best of 10.72 seconds in the 100 meters, she prefers the 4×400 meter relay. But her coach wishes and wants to train her for 400m. This shift is intriguing, especially since she’s already excelling in the shorter distance, as 100m is considered the hardest. Maybe she’s just eager to try something new and expand her skill set. Her current personal best in the 400 meters is 58.29 seconds, so there’s definitely room for improvement there!

However, Julien’s journey kicked off at the CARIFTA Games, where she shone as a rising star for Saint Lucia. She not only excelled in the 100 and 200 meters but also racked up quite a few medals and accolades, which helped boost her confidence and catch the eye of international scouts. At just sixteen, she snagged a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin back in 2017, paving the way for her bright future.

With Edrick Floreal as her coach—a former athlete who still holds the Canadian men’s triple jump record—Julien’s future looks incredibly promising. But Floreal spotted her talent long before the rest of the world did.

Julien Afred’s emotional moment after the gold medal in Paris

After Julien Alfred’s incredible victory in the Paris Olympics, Julien Alfred shared an emotional moment with her coach, Edrick Floreal. “She gave me a hug on the victory lap and there weren’t very many tears, but we just got emotional,” Floreal recalled. As they celebrated, Floreal realized the win hadn’t fully hit Julien yet. They’d talked about winning a medal someday, maybe in 2028, but here she was, claiming gold at just 21 in her first year as a pro. Julien wasn’t always standout, but her determination led to this moment.

As a high schooler, Julien wasn’t an athletic freak of nature like her American rival Sha’Carri Richardson. Alfred ran 11.5 seconds in the 100 meters and 24 flat in the 200 meters, which wouldn’t impress many at the collegiate level. Remember her 2022 event? Julien false-started at the World Championships in 2022 and finished fifth in Budapest in 2023, battling anxiety and depression along the way.

But it was Floreal who was confident in her abilities and helped her navigate those difficult times. That pivotal day in Paris, as the rain poured down, Julien found herself racing alongside Richardson. They both ran solid heats, setting the stage for a thrilling final where Julien emerged victorious with a time of 10.72 seconds. Looking ahead, it’s clear that Julien Alfred has an exciting future waiting for her, especially after everything she’s overcome.