Up until now, Sha’Carri Richardson was the sprinter everyone thought might be “the next Flo Jo”—a true American torchbearer for Florence Griffith-Joyner’s legacy. But seemingly out of nowhere, Julien Alfred, a Saint Lucian sprinter who was flying under the radar, has burst onto the scene and stolen the show. At Paris 2024, she left the crowd speechless, grabbing gold in the 100m with 10.72 seconds, then coming back for silver in the 200m just days later. That feat makes her the fastest woman in the world this year, but Flo-Jo’s record of 10.49 since 1988 seconds still seems like a tough nut to crack.

This season, the fastest time in the world belongs to Sha’Carri Richardson, who clocked 10.71 seconds at the U.S. track trials. But when it was time to shine in Paris, Richardson stumbled with a rocky start, finishing in 10.87 and just missing the podium. Julien Alfred, however, rose to the occasion and proved she could handle the heat, securing gold. Now, with everyone’s eyes on her, people can’t help but wonder: could she be the one to finally break Flo-Jo’s record and leave her mark in history? Alfred herself has shared her thoughts on that goal.

While many dream of outpacing Flo Jo, Julien Alfred’s running her own race

Born on the small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, with a population of just 180,000, Julien Alfred has shattered expectations, breaking through the dominance of sprinting powerhouses like Jamaica and the U.S. While her meteoric rise may have surprised the world, her loyal fans knew her potential. However, her journey has come with intense pressure. After winning gold in the 60-meter finals at the Glasgow World Indoor Championships in March 2024, Alfred started to feel the weight of expectation bearing down on her. She even considered withdrawing from the Olympic Games, fearing that she’d have to keep winning to meet others’ high expectations and avoid letting down her loved ones and her nation.

Despite the highs and lows, this year has been transformative for Alfred. In a recent interview with olympics.com, she spoke candidly about what drives her. “My motivation is to be the best in the world, to be my best self, the best athlete I can be and to prove to myself that I belong here.” For Alfred, success is about personal growth, fulfillment, and proving her place on the global stage, rather than just chasing records or living up to external expectations.

When asked about the possibility of breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s record, Alfred’s answer showed her grounded perspective. She quickly replied, “That’s not on my bingo; it’s not on my list whatsoever,” emphasizing that breaking records isn’t her main goal. Rather than being consumed by that historic target, she focuses on her own progress and goals that bring her a sense of purpose and satisfaction. “Whatever time comes with winning an Olympic gold or world championships, then so be it,” she said.

Alfred believes that achieving an Olympic gold medal or a world championship title would be an accomplishment regardless of when it happens and is committed to allowing her journey to progress organically by having faith that her efforts and commitment will guide her to the path meant for her destiny. However, let’s face it—her triumph didn’t happen overnight. She acquired it after enduring challenges over the years; the passing of her father fueled her determination and inspired her to overcome whatever obstacles life presented to her.

Defying expectations, and owning her power!

Julien Alfred’s journey hasn’t exactly been a smooth sprint—she’s faced plenty of hurdles, both on and off the track. But her accomplishments? Truly remarkable. With a personal best of 10.72 seconds in the 100 meters, she’s right up there with the best, including Sha’Carri Richardson, who clocked a 10.65 at the 2023 World Championships. But don’t count out Julien just yet—she’s got a way of surprising everyone. After all, she didn’t become one of the world’s top sprinters overnight. To get here, she had to push through challenges that would’ve stopped most athletes in their tracks.

Julien’s childhood was marked by a loss when her father passed away when she was 12 years old. The loss deeply impacted her but also spurred her on to strive for excellence. Shortly after the tragedy, Julien decided to leave her hometown and relocate to Jamaica to enroll in St Catherine High School, renowned for its track and field programs, in the Caribbean. It wasn’t about the training. It also meant adapting to a completely different way of life far from her loved ones. She often found herself lost in thoughts about returning home but decided to persevere as she believed it was the key to achieving her aspirations.

Julien faced challenges beyond that point in time. When she began weightlifting to improve her athleticism, she observed changes in her body in her arms, which drew negative remarks from those close to her. Many would comment on her appearance, with some going so far as to say she appeared “too manly.” “If I had just given up and not lifted in the gym because I didn’t want to be called too muscular or be told I looked like a man, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today,” she says. Instead of letting the opinions of others derail her, Julien embraced her body. Now, she stands as a powerful example of perseverance, with her journey earning her comparisons to some of the greatest athletes in history.