Julien Alfred—her name now rings loud and proud in the track and field world. She etched herself into history when she stormed the finish line in a breathtaking 10.72 seconds, a national record that left no doubt about her dominance. For a Caribbean island with fewer than 200,000 people and a history of seven Olympic Games without a podium finish, Julien’s triumph was nothing short of monumental. But behind this golden moment lies a journey filled with grit, sacrifice, and unshakable determination.

At just 14, Julien took a leap of faith, leaving her friends and family to hone her sprinting talent in Jamaica. Three years later, at 17, her journey took her even farther from home—this time to Texas, where she trained under Edrick Floréal, a two-time Olympian from Canada. Moving into dorms alone and navigating life in a new country wasn’t easy.

But those challenges shaped her into the fierce sprinter she is today. Floréal, who also mentors Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, Julien shared, “He’s somebody I felt was just meant to be part of my journey.” Under his guidance, she learned to transform the weight of an entire nation’s expectations into fuel for greatness. And now, Julien has once again credited her coach.

In episode two of season two of Sprint, the Netflix and World Athletics documentary series spotlighting the athletes and events behind the Diamond League, World Championships, and Olympics, Julien Alfred shared a heartfelt moment about her journey with Coach Flo. She opened up about meeting him at 17, during her time, at the University of Texas, and how his influence has shaped her career and life. Just a remarkable telling influence.

“So I met Coach Flo at the age of 17, when I went to the University of Texas. He’s made such a huge impact on my career, like, on my life. We’re in the background, and working on what we have to work on while other people are receiving, the attention. I actually love that.” Her words reflect the quiet dedication and trust that has defined their partnership, fueling her rise to the top of the sprinting world.

Julien Alfred’s coach, Edrick Floreal, is no stranger to greatness. As the head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field teams at Texas, he brings a wealth of experience, having once been a celebrated long and triple jumper for Canada. Floreal’s illustrious career includes winning a bronze medal in the triple jump at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, showcasing his deep understanding of what it takes to deliver results on the biggest stages—a talent that’s clearly reflected in Alfred’s jaw-dropping performances. And if there’s one thing Julien has never been shy about, it’s giving credit where it’s due. She’s openly praised Coach Flo’s impact on her career time and time again.

Alfred opens up about Flo!

Yes, you heard it right! Julien Alfred, reigning Olympic 100-meter champion, has her coach, Edrick Floreal, to thank for being the backbone of her extraordinary rise in 2024.

After making history as Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, Alfred didn’t stop there. She grabbed a silver in the 200 meters and followed it with a dazzling victory at the Diamond League 100-meter final in Brussels following the Olympic gold medal. It’s incredible to see what confidence does to you.

From record-breaking moments to shining under the Paris spotlight, Alfred’s journey has been nothing short of phenomenal—and her coach has been there through it all.

Her path to Olympic glory, however, wasn’t always smooth. After a heart-wrenching fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Alfred hit an all-time low.

But with immense resilience and the unwavering support of Floreal, she turned her heartbreak into fuel. Reflecting on his role, she told FloTrack, “I have to give thanks to my coach. I think he is my spine and my rock. He has been with me through the highs and the lows. After Worlds last year, I cried on his shoulder so much, and I just want to thank him for this, having my back throughout and the times where I felt like giving up on myself.”

That emotional foundation helped her reclaim her confidence, step back on the track, and shine brighter than ever. Alfred’s story is one of grit, passion, and unshakable belief in herself and those in her corner. Her electrifying 10.72-second performance in the 100-meter final didn’t just crown her the fastest woman alive—it marked a powerful triumph over every hurdle she’d faced.

And, through it all, she’s never forgotten the people who helped her get there. As she put it herself, “I really wanted it for myself and also so happy to have such an amazing group around me and most importantly, my coach is everything to me, and I would not be here without him.”

Truly an inspiration to everyone around.