As an athlete, there’s arguably no higher achievement than winning an Olympic gold. But what if you bring your country its first-ever medal from the grandest sporting vent in the world? Hard to put a cap on the festivities that are understandable to ensue, but Julien Alfred shouldn’t have anything to complain about. The Saint Lucian sprinter made history in the City of Love last month, and it looks like her nation is yet to get a grip on reality.

At the 33rd Olympic Games, Alfred defeated the USA’s emphatic Sha’Carri Richardson to win the women’s 100m final, and stun the world. But her seminal achievement was also a monumental moment in the Caribbean island’s history, and they had to laud her in a deserving manner.

The government of the small island nation has decided to bestow a long list of gifts to Alfred, and the sprinter took to Instagram on September 27 to note her thanks. “HAPPY JULIEN ALFRED DAY!” she wrote in the caption of the post, evidently elated. From 1 million East Caribbean Dollars (roughly $370,000) to a massive plot of land of her choice, the authorities have not been shy to make sure her feat was shown proper respect.

But the list doesn’t end there! According to a post on X by Rhyesa Joseph, Castries, Saint Lucia’s capital, will have its Millennium Highway named after Alfred, while a monument honoring the Olympian’s historic achievement will be erected at the new Cul de Sac Roundabout. An official Julien Alfred stamp is also on the books. Naturally, for the 23-year-old, all of this feels incredible, and she is still trying to make sure that all of this is part of the reality.

“The past four days here on island has been nothing short of amazing! I have laughed, cried, danced and celebrated with my fellow Saint Lucian,” she wrote in her social media post and thanked everyone who came together to laud her achievements. However, considering the magnitude of her feats, it is only proper that Alfred revels in the fans’ applause.

Julien Alfred put Saint Lucia on the track and field map

The flamboyant Sha’Carri Richardson was poised to win the women’s 100m gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and for good reason. In the weeks leading up to the big rumble, Richardson showcased her determination to make up for the 2021 Tokyo Games. Three years ago, an allegation of drug use restricted the Dallas native from participating in the biggest sporting tournament of the world, and taking note of how her Olympic Trials went, fans were sure that Richardson would bag the title of the World’s Fastest Woman in France. However, a fiasco involving Richardson being barred from entering the warmup area commenced just moments before their clash, and many clamored that Sha’Carri was robbed of her Olympic glory.

However, that didn’t stop Alfred from going into Stade de France and whipping out an impeccable 10.72-finish to pick up the first Olympic hardware, that too a golden one, for her nation. Just days later, she took a narrow defeat from Harvard grad Gabby Thomas to win a silver in the women’s 200m and add to her illustrious resume. Incredible, wouldn’t you agree? What more ways do you think Julien’s incredible achievement could be honored? Share your possible plans for such a towering feat with a comment!