10.72 seconds. That’s all it took to destroy the Jamaican track and field dominance in 100m this year. People were expecting Sha’Carri Richardson to win the gold, but St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred blazed through the track and claimed her country’s first-ever Olympic medal. But did you know that Alfred shares a deep connection with Jamaica?

About 1,136 miles away from St. Lucia, Jamaica helped the young athlete master her craft. No wonder Jamaican fans highlighted her connection to the nation’s rich track and field history as Alfred made some revelations. But there’s so much more to her story- like her early career crisis.

In an interview from Aug. 18, Alfred shared her journey, and how Usain Bolt inspired her. “I wanted to help my family and I saw running as a way out. So I watched a few of his races before mine. I had to go back to my roots to see how he handled everything, from the pressure to the celebrations. He was an inspiration to me growing up and I wanted to be just like him.” 

Born in the Ciceron community of Castries, St. Lucia, Julien Alfred grew up in a low-income family. But her talent as a sprinter shone brightly. Life became difficult when her supportive father passed away when she was just 12 years old, but her determination and talent prevailed, and two years later, at the age of 14, she earned a scholarship that set her on the path to success.

“On the day my mum left me I cried so much,” she said about moving to Jamaica. “I was without my family and friends and was thinking I should go back. I stayed with a family but it was hard to adapt to a new culture. I didn’t understand the lingo and I couldn’t go home for Christmas because we had December camps. I wanted to give up, but kept pushing because I knew something good would come out of it,” Julien Alfred told The Times.

But her mother knew it was important for Alred to train for her goals. The parents saw their daughter grow up while idolizing the likes of Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Training in sprint-crazed Jamaica would help Alfred achieve her dreams.

While the grueling training away from her loved ones took a toll, there were moments that signaled that she was made for greatness. One such instance was when Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce handed her the prize in one meeting. Over the years, the prospect who started her journey in St. Lucia became a seasoned athlete in Jamaica. And yet, the fact stands. She made it to the nation with some of the fastest sprinters in history because of her family.

How Julien Alfred was set for Olympic success by her family!

Despite their financial woes, the athlete’s parents always saw a champion in her. Alfred told The Times that her father’s faith in her abilities helped her strive to be better despite the limited facilities in St. Lucia. “He always believed in me and wanted me to be an Olympian,” said the sprinter.

Having her parents beside her was a massive emotional support. But when her father passed away in 2013, the athlete broke apart. “I didn’t want to run anymore.”

The last time she spoke to her father was when he took her to practice. And every time she steps on the grass, the memories haunt her. However, that’s when Julien Alfred’s family and her first coach came to the rescue.

Coach Simeon Stephen not only helped the Olympian train but also helped her fall in love with the sport once again. Unfortunately, neither Alfred’s father, nor the coach who helped her get to Jamaica, could see her create history on the purple tracks of Stade de France. Stephen passed away in 2023, but the 23-year-old’s mother, brother, sister, and partner flew to Paris to support her.

The family members who had willingly made sacrifices for Julien Alfred’s success watched with pride as she defeated the favorite, becoming the new global star of track and field in just 10.72 seconds.

While some may believe that her success is owed to her high school training in Jamaica, the reality is that both nations, St. Lucia and Jamaica, along with their people, played a vital role in shaping Alfred into the champion she is today. What do you think?