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Julien Alfred made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by capturing the gold medal in the women's 100-meter dash. Want to know more about this groundbreaking athlete? Read through for an in-depth look at her journey to Olympic glory.
Alfred's victory was a significant moment for her small Caribbean nation, as she became the first-ever Olympic gold medallist from Saint Lucia. Her electrifying performance also ended Jamaica's recent dominance in the event, making the world pay attention to the newest name in the pinnacle of athletics.
Who is Julien Alfred? (Julien Alfred Background)
Julien Alfred is a name that has rapidly ascended the ranks of global sprinting after she achieved a historic moment for herself and her country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A runner from humble beginnings, Alfred used to run on the field, struggling with no shoes and barefoot, even in school uniforms.
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Her talents was first spotted by the school librarian as a kid, and she began to train for the sport. However, she walked away from it all after losing her father, before her coach convinced her to return and give it another chance.
Alfred’s early athletic inclinations were nurtured in Saint Lucia, where she displayed exceptional speed and agility. She attended Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School in Saint Lucia (2013–2015) before switching to Saint Catherine High School in Jamaica (2015–2018).
Honing her skills by attending high school in Jamaica, a renowned hub for sprinting talent, was instrumental in shaping her into a formidable competitor.
Alfred went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in youth & community studies at the University of Texas in the United States, combining academic studies and athletics.
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Her collegiate career at the University of Texas elevated her to new heights, as her dominance on the track was unparalleled, shattering records and clinching multiple NCAA titles.
Notably, in 2022, she became the first woman in NCAA history to break the seven-second barrier in the 60-meter dash, a feat that solidified her status as a rising star.
In 2015, she clinched the Central American and Caribbean U15 championship title, a feat recognised by her home country with the prestigious Saint Lucia’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year award, which she retained in 2017.
In the same year, she was crowned the Commonwealth Youth Games 100m champion in Nassau, Bahamas, and her international success continued at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she secured a silver medal, finishing behind Nigeria's Rosemary Chukwuma.
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By the age of 21, Alfred had already established herself as one of the world's top sprinters. Her exceptional speed was showcased at the Big 12 Conference Championships in Lubbock, Texas, where she shattered the Saint Lucia national and championship record with a blistering time of 10.81 seconds in the women's 100m preliminaries.
This achievement also placed her in the top 30 fastest women in history and made her the fastest woman ever from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Alfred's dominance continued as she registered a wind-aided 10.80 seconds at the NCAA West Preliminary Round, the fastest time ever recorded under any conditions at the event.
Her incredible form culminated in a victory at the 2022 NCAA Division I 100m title, where she crossed the finish line in 11.02 seconds. This historic win made her the first track athlete from Saint Lucia to claim a Division I championship.
Her success extended beyond the collegiate level. Alfred secured gold at the inaugural Caribbean Games in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, solidifying her status as a regional sprinting powerhouse.
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In February 2023, she shattered the NCAA 60-meter record four times, becoming the first woman to break the seven-second barrier with a stunning 6.97 seconds. This achievement catapulted her to eighth on the world's all-time list.
Alfred’s dominance extended to the 200 metres, where she also set collegiate records. Her indoor season culminated in a historic double at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she broke her own 60-meter record with 6.94 seconds and the 200-meter record with 22.01 seconds. These times placed her second on the world all-time lists for both events.
Her exceptional performances continued into the outdoor season. She secured victories over world-class sprinters, including Sha’Carri Richardson, and was named the Big 12 Conference Athlete of the Year alongside TCU football star Max Duggan.
Alfred represented Saint Lucia at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, reaching the finals in both the 100 and 200 metres.
She continued her winning streak into 2024, claiming gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in the 60 metres. Her outdoor season was equally impressive, with numerous podium finishes and a new national 200-meter record.
Where is Julien Alfred from?
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Alfred was born in the South Castries community of Ciceron, on the small island of Saint Lucia, with just over 180,000 people.
St. Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation, previously called Iouanalao and later Hewanorra, located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados, and south of Martinique.
Saint Lucia recognised Julien Alfred's exceptional athletic talents by including special funds for her in the budget and granting her a diplomatic passport in 2023, which facilitated smoother travel as she competed internationally.
To celebrate her outstanding victory in the women's 60m at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the government organised a grand welcome ceremony upon her return to Hewanorra International Airport.
How old is Julien Alfred? (Julien Alfred age)
Julien Alfred was born on June 10, 2001, making her 23 years old as of August 2024. The Saint Lucian runner was a solid prospect from a young age, winning multiple races and setting various records on her way to the top.
Julien Alfred Parents
Alfred was raised by a single mother after her father passed away when she was just 12 years old.
Her father’s death was the major reason she left St Lucia and her family at 14 to go to school in Jamaica, where she developed her running skills.
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“He believed I could be an Olympian. That I can be here,” Alfred said as she dedicated her Olympic gold medal to her late father, who had always believed she was made for the biggest stage.
Julien Alfred College
Julien Alfred attended the University of Texas, a collegiate career that was marked by exceptional athletic achievements where she broke numerous records and secured multiple NCAA titles.
Julien Alfred Olympics
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Alfred made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by securing the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Saint Lucia.
It was her first-ever senior Olympic Games appearance, as she had only previously participated in the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.
Julien Alfred 100-metre time
Alfred made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning the gold medal and setting a new national record of 10.72 seconds.
It was no mean feat for the St. Lucian, as she had only run a 10.93-second time during the 100-metre race at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Julien Alfred Coach
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The driving force behind Julien Alfred's meteoric rise is her coach, Edrick Floreal.
A seasoned track and field expert, Floreal has played a pivotal role in shaping Alfred into the world-class sprinter she is today.
Hailing from Haiti, Floreal boasts an impressive athletic background. He was a former long and triple jumper who represented Canada internationally, even clinching a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Floreal is a renowned track and field coach with a proven track record, having mentored athletes like Rhasidat Adeleke and Leo Neugebauer to great success.
Since taking the helm as Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Texas in 2018, Floreal has been instrumental in Julien Alfred's career. Under his guidance, Alfred has achieved remarkable feats, including NCAA titles in both the 100m and 200m.
Julien Alfred Medals
Gold medal (100 metres): 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Gold medal (60 metres): 2024 Glasgow World Indoor Championships
Gold medal (100 metres): 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games
Silver medal (100 metres): 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games
Silver medal (100 metres): 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games
Gold medal (100 metres): 2017 Nassau Commonwealth Youth Games
How tall is Julien Alfred? (Julien Alfred Height)
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Alfred is 5 feet 7 inches tall (170 cm), which helps get longer strides, as seen during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she won gold medal in the 100 metres.
Julien Alfred Net Worth
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Julien Alfred net worth is estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million USD as of July 2024. This estimation considers prize money, sponsorships, and endorsement deals.
Alfred's income is supplemented by lucrative brand partnerships. In July 2023, she signed a significant deal with Puma, marking a key milestone in her career.
The partnership was first showcased at the Monaco Diamond League, where she competed wearing Puma's athletic apparel.
Julien Alfred Instagram
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Julien Alfred has an active Instagram account where she posts about her career and achievements.
The account has over 76,000 followers as of August 2024.
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