Who would’ve thought the little girl from the Ciceron community of Castries would claim Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic gold? On August 3, Julien Alfred shocked the track and field world by dominating the rain-soaked tracks at the Stade de France. While many expected Sha’Carri Richardson to emerge victorious, the 23-year-old’s blistering 10.72 seconds was worthy of the Olympic podium. But she did feel inspired by one person in particular—track legend Usain Bolt.

In fact, the sprinter didn’t just look up to him. “I’ve always wanted to be Usain Bolt, ever since I was little.” While she might not have been the fastest woman alive, the Olympian did shift her base to Jamaica momentarily in 2015. “He was more than my idol,” she confessed to Athletics Weekly. However, her time away from home wasn’t the easiest. The Saint Lucian pushed through the grueling training. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long for her to become a seasoned athlete in the nation.

Julien Alfred exclaimed, “It’s incredible what he has achieved in his career. Unfortunately, I have never met him.” When asked who she wanted to be growing up, her answer was always the same: “The next Usain Bolt.” The legendary sprinter unknowingly helped her clinch her first gold at the Summer Games. On the fateful day of the Olympic 100m finals, the 23-year-old spent all morning watching Bolt’s lightning-fast victories.

Inspired by the Jamaican, she noted a promise to herself in her journal, “Julien Alfred, Olympic champion.” Locking horns with the pre-race favorite, the sprinter hoped to become her nation’s first Olympic medalist as she settled into the blocks. Just like her idol, she sprinted off the blocks as quickly and made a beeline for the finish line. Trailing behind her, Sha’Carri Richardson clocked in 10.87 seconds. Her compatriot, Melissa Jefferson, completed the podium with 10.92 seconds on the clock. 

After crossing the finish line, Alfred couldn’t believe she had achieved what she wanted to. She proceeded to wrap her nation’s flag around her. As she walked around the stadium, tears continued to fall down her face. “You don’t ever see me celebrate like that. I’m just happy it happened in the biggest race of my career,” she confessed after the race. The Saint Lucian surely made her nation proud, but why did she have to leave all those years ago? 

Julien Alfred’s tough circumstances help shape her into a champion

The sprinter grew up in a low-income family in Saint Lucia. However, the youngin wanted to help her family, and she realized running would be the best way. However, she lost her father at the tender age of 12. The Olympian couldn’t bear the heartbreak and took a 2-year break from the sport. But it wasn’t easy for her. She often sprinted through fields barefoot on her way back from school. Even the stadiums in her nation weren’t helping home her talent.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 03, 2024. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia celebrates after winning gold in the final REUTERS/Stefan WermuthAt 14, Julien Alfred’s hard work paid off, and she earned a scholarship at St. Catherine High School in Jamaica. Watching the sprinter grow up idolizing Usain Bolt, her mother knew how important this was for her. However, the change wasn’t easy for Alfred. “On the day my mum left me, I cried so much. I was without my family and friends and was thinking I should go back.” But against her best judgment, the Saint Lucian pushed through. She went from being a young girl who idolized the legendary sprinter to now being an Olympic champion herself!