It’s said, “To be the sun, you need to burn like one.” In this story, the main character is a girl who escaped from her home at the age of 14, to turn her wildest dream into reality, the dream of becoming the “female Usain Bolt” and guess what? All her dreams turned into breathtaking reality. In just 10.72 seconds, she aimed and took the Paris Olympics gold in a 100-meter event. Yes! We’re talking about none other than star athlete Julien Alfred. Now, sitting proudly on the throne, nevertheless, the path has been a hell of a ride, and Alfred ran through all of it.

Pop quiz: what do you think a 14-year-old child does? Don’t know about anyone else but I was busy playing games, having fun with friends, and cartoons! Quite close, Julien Alfred, at 14– took the playing too seriously. She made it her life, ran towards being the fastest woman in the world and she did it. Julien Alfred made the life-altering decision to leave her family in St. Lucia to pursue her dream of becoming an elite sprinter in Jamaica. Even though she had an overwhelming passion for track and field, this choice in no case was an easy one. The separation from her family proved to be emotionally straining, marking the beginning of a tale that would shape her into the fastest woman on the planet. And to be that light, she started to burn like the sun.

Alfred’s decision to endure the stormy weather 

Alfred’s path to Olympic glory in the 100 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics was one that very few saw coming. As an unrecognized underdog from a nation that had no history of Olympic success. Julien Alfred overcame incredible boulders to break records and capture St Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal. But, behind this huge success and celebration lies her story, a story of adaptation, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. Alfred opens up about the sacrifices she made to get where she is today, a story that’s bound to inspire everyone who hears it.

The greatest challenge Alfred faced when moving to Jamaica at such a young age was being away from her family and her life there. As she candidly said, “First of all, just not being with any family. That was something I had to adapt to. I don’t think I fully adapted to being away from my family for the three years that I spent there. But the culture difference, the language, the environment of what sport was like, what sprinting was like and what track and field in general was like in St Lucia, compared to Jamaica, is completely different.”

Julien Alfred’s experience in Jamaica was not just about training, but it was about getting used to an entirely new world. Jamaican sprinting culture has a depth, it’s home to the legends– Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and it contrasted sharply with the track and field environment in her native St Lucia. The discipline, competitive spirit, and professional approach to athletics were significantly distant from what she had known in her small island nation. While these gaps were difficult to navigate in the beginning, they ultimately contributed to her growth as a star athlete.

Julien Alfred: Counting victories along the way

The difficulties faced by Alfred also contained the language barrier, paired with the speedy pace of life in Jamaica. But, the country’s rich history of producing world-class sprinters kept her spirits up. Despite the emotional toll, Alfred’s move to Jamaica was transformative. She was training under some of the most accomplished sprint coaches in the world which helped her sharpen her skills, building a foundation that would lead her to international recognition. Later when she returned to St Lucia, Alfred had not only grown as a sprinter but as a person. She knew that her journey was not just about her achievements but about representing her nation on the global stage.

The 2024 Olympics marked history for Alfred, she defied all expectations, grabbing the 100-meter gold with a time of 10.72 seconds in one of the most competitive fields in recent times. This victory not only set a personal achievement but also catapulted St Lucia into the spotlight. The country’s first-ever Olympic medal, and her huge success, earned Alfred hero status back home. Her achievement, alongside a silver in the 200m, lit the whole St. Lucia with happiness and celebration, with parades and national holidays in her honor.

After all, Alfred is still grounded. She acknowledges the importance of her coaches and all the support she received, especially from the people of St Lucia. Looking at her success, Alfred noted that the real missing piece to her win was patience and perseverance through personal struggles. The journey of self-discovery, sacrifice, and hard work was what truly enabled her to achieve Olympic gold, an accomplishment that made the long years away from home worthwhile.