At seeing Julien Alfred’s incredible pace, it’s clear that Saint Lucia and the Caribbean are just beginning to celebrate the rise of the world’s fastest woman. Did you catch her at the 2024 Paris Olympics? She really made waves by beating American star Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100m final! And with that, she set a new national record with a time of 10.72 seconds. Plus, she took home a silver in the 200m, finishing just behind Gabby Thomas.

When it was time for Julien to return home to Saint Lucia, the welcome she received was fit for a queen! Guess what? Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre was there to greet her, and she was whisked away in a motorcade while tens of thousands lined the streets to celebrate her victory. It was such an inspiring moment for her and for all the young athletes in the Caribbean to look to her as a role model.

At the official welcome ceremony during the event, an emotional Julien expressed her gratitude, saying she was at a loss for words. She mentioned the countless people who had supported her along the way—her village, her family, her mother, the Saint Lucia government, and her coach, Edrick Floreal. “So many people have guided me and helped me to get to this point, and I really just want to say thank you to all of you, even those I haven’t mentioned. I just want to say thank you,” she stated.

Reflecting on her journey, she added, “I have dreamt of this day for such a long time—just being an inspiration to the youth of Saint Lucia, wanting to give back and wanting to inspire them so we can have many more Levern Spencers and many more Daren Sammys and many more like myself.” Her message highlights her dedication to uplifting the next generation and her desire to motivate young athletes to chase their dreams.

Even Prime Minister Pierre made it clear that Julien Alfred’s accomplishments at the Olympics are about so much more than just sports; they spark an important conversation about Saint Lucia’s potential on the world stage. “Julien’s achievements transcend sports,” he shared. “They have been a source of inspiration to all Saint Lucians, especially our youth, proving that through hard work, dedication, and self-belief, we can be among the best in the world.”

He added that despite the common notion that their size limits their success, he argued that true talent resides in the people, not in geography or resources. With effort, Saint Lucians can excel in any field, proving they can achieve greatness on par with anyone else. But one has to wonder—why did Julien Alfred wait more than a month after the Paris Olympics to return home? It’s an intriguing thought, isn’t it?

Julien Alfred’s historic achievements that broke the ice

Julien Alfred’s return home was a bit delayed because she was busy at the Diamond League in Brussels. However, she wrapped up an incredible year by becoming the world indoor 60m champion and winning the Diamond League 100m title. To celebrate her achievements, the country even declared a national holiday on September 27 for her gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m. Reflecting on her journey, she shared a heartfelt memory: “When I was 14, I moved from Saint Lucia to Jamaica. I left my mum and siblings behind. My dad died when I was 12. My mum had put a note in my suitcase that read, ‘Follow your dream.’”

Julien has always looked up to Usain Bolt, saying, “I’ve always wanted to be Usain Bolt, ever since I was little. He was more than my idol.” It’s incredible how much he has achieved! Though she hasn’t met him yet, she also admires Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. After spending her early years in Jamaica, she moved to the U.S. to study Youth & Community Studies at the University of Texas.

She also achieved a milestone as a Texas Longhorns athlete by becoming the NCAA woman to complete the 60-meter run in under seven seconds and excelled in various events such as the 100-meter dash and 200 meters, along with winning titles in the 4×100-meter relay event as well as earning the esteemed Bowerman Award for the 2022–23 season.

All these experiences paved the way for a journey in her career. She even showcased her talent by achieving a place in the 100 meters and fourth place in the 200 meters at last year’s World Championships in Budapest. Her outstanding performance continued this year. Julian’s adventure is truly a source of inspiration. It’s not impactful, for her but for the young athletes who admire her both locally and elsewhere.