Athletics

Julien Alfred: “It’s actually superb Saint Lucia is doing this”

September 27, 2024
Ibrahim

The Olympic 100m champion and 200m silver medallist on why the celebrations in Saint Lucia imply a lot to her

Julien Alfred has returned to a heroes welcome in Saint Lucia, with tens of hundreds of individuals out on the streets celebrating her achievements this season.

The 23-year-old received Saint Lucia’s first ever Olympic medals in Paris and the nation has now declared a nationwide vacation to commemorate her 100m gold and 200m silver on September 27.

As quickly as Alfred landed on the tarmac at Hewanorra Worldwide Airport, she was greeted by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, different authorities members and Saint Lucia’s Olympic Committee.

The Olympic 100m champion was then whisked away in a motorcade and through the night tens of hundreds of individuals throughout Saint Lucia bought a glimpse of Alfred, who waved to the group with the nationwide flag draped round her.

There are actually additionally plans for a mural of the Saint Lucian exterior her main faculty and the nationwide vacation has been referred to as “Julien Alfred Day”.

It’s fairly the reception for an athlete who has had a merely unimaginable season.

In addition to her success on the Paris Olympics, Alfred turned world indoor 60m champion, received the Diamond League 100m crown and ended the season with the second quickest time (10.72) of the yr.

After the Diamond League last in Brussels, AW caught up with Alfred on the previous season.

“I don’t assume it has all sunk in but,” she advised AW. “I’ve now bought an opportunity to return to my dwelling and take into consideration what Saint Lucia has performed for me in my life. It’s actually superb they’re doing this.

“I believe the feelings of the Olympics got here in waves. After I crossed the road it was the realisation that I truly received. After I took off my spikes and went to seize my bag I used to be simply so overwhelmed that I used to be the Olympic champion. There have been peaks and troughs.”

Simply earlier than Memorial Van Damme, Alfred opened up about her transfer from Saint Lucia to Jamaica on the age of 14, stating that “I left my mum and siblings behind. My dad died after I was 12” and “my mum had put a be aware in my suitcase that learn ‘observe your dream’.”

When requested about that by AW in Brussels, Alfred mirrored on her journey within the sport and was grateful to those who had supported her by means of it.

“On the time [when I moved from Saint Lucia to Jamaica], I used to be considering if I made the improper selection,” Alfred mentioned. “I left my household behind and made some massive sacrifices to get so far. I’ve now developed as an athlete, particular person and particular person.

“It’s been a protracted journey and I’ve had numerous classes to study. Within the instances that I’ve struggled my coach at all times advised me that I ought to use that as motivation. I didn’t come this far for nothing and each particular person is there for a purpose. It’s about taking one step at a time.

“I don’t understand how I’ll course of all of it! Given all that I’ve achieved, particularly anyone that has been by means of a lot of their life, you assume ‘do I even belong right here?’ when the great occurs. I simply want a while to course of the great that’s taking place in my life proper now!”

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