The Warm Up Track 2024: Julien Alfred – Chasing Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal

Sportsworld

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred is this year’s World Indoor champion for the women’s 60 metres. She’s aiming to win Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medal, and would like it to be gold.

After a stunning US Collegiate career, Alfred reached the final of both the 100 and 200 metres at the 2023 World Championships, just missing a medal in the longer sprint. In 2024, her first season as a professional, she made history for Saint Lucia, winning the island’s first World Indoor gold, taking the 60 metres title in Glasgow.

Julien describes just how tough the pathway to the top of the sport can be. She explains how hard it was relocating to Jamaica as a young teenager in order to join a coaching group. We also gain a real insight into the role of her coach, Edrick Floreal, and the value he places on supporting his athletes – not just on the track, but in terms of their mental well-being.

Over the winter of 2023, Dina Asher-Smith joined Alfred’s training group – so what’s it like working each day alongside one of your main rivals?

What was it like when she returned home to Saint Lucia from this year’s World Indoor championships with that 60 metres gold? How much pressure is she putting on herself to deliver the country’s first Olympic medal of any colour? Plus, even when you are truly world class at 100 and 200 metres, does that necessarily mean you enjoy both events?

Image: Gold medallist Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia poses for a photo after winning the Women's 60 Metres Final on Day Two of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 at Emirates Arena on March 02, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)