Alfred’s passion for athletics was diminished by the loss of her father, Julian, who took her to training and constantly told his friends how fast his daughter was.
“I felt like the person who wanted me to get to this point in my career was no longer here. I felt like there was no need to continue,” Alfred said.
Convinced to return to the sport after a break, Alfred hinted at the medals to come by winning 100m gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 and Youth Olympic silver one year later.
She claimed her first international medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, and after finishing fourth in the 200m and fifth in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships, Alfred announced her Olympic credentials by winning gold in the 60m indoor in March.
But instead of inspiring confidence in her ability to win Olympic gold, this success – the first of its kind in Saint Lucia – almost derailed Alfred’s bid in Paris.
“I wasn’t as excited as before,” she said. “I felt a lot of pressure whenever I had the opportunity to race, because now I thought the people of Saint Lucia were expecting a lot from me.
“I felt like I had to win every time. I felt like I couldn’t do it.”
After conversations with her coach and agent, it was agreed that Alfred would prioritize her mental well-being and withdraw from competitions.
She admitted there was a point earlier this year where she feared she wouldn’t be fit enough to compete at the Games.
But, having revived her Olympic ambitions, her form was evident at the Diamond League in London in July, where Alfred set a personal best in the 200m with a time of 21.86 seconds.
Not only did Alfred arrive in Paris, she left the French capital with two medals in the sprint, following up her historic 100m win with Olympic silver in the 200m behind American Gabby Thomas three days later.
“It’s been a long journey. It didn’t just get here. I left home when I was 14, moved to Jamaica, then to Texas. I’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations, a lot of hardships,” Alfred said.
“When you finally cross the line and get a gold medal, something you’ve worked hard at all your life, it’s an amazing feeling. I was screaming at the top of my lungs.”
On her return home, Alfred was received by the Prime Minister and the country’s streets were filled with support as a procession took her around the island, with several days of organized celebrations culminating in “Julian Alfred Day”.
Having seen the impact of her successes, she is determined to use her influence to develop sports in Saint Lucia while promoting her country on the world stage as a tourism ambassador.
“It feels great [to represent St Lucia]. “Life has changed in so many different ways,” Alfred said.
“Using what I did on track to promote my country, it changes my life.
“But also just seeing how much of an impact I’ve had on so many people’s lives — that’s also life-changing for me.”
