Julien Alfred’s 2024 season has been nothing short of remarkable, with her recent victory in the 100m finals at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Brussels solidifying her standing as a top sprinter. Coming off a second-place finish behind Sha’Carri Richardson at the Zurich Diamond League, Alfred made a powerful comeback, winning in Brussels with a time of 10.88 seconds to claim the Diamond League title. The 23-year-old Saint Lucian sprinter expressed her joy in a post-race interview, saying she was proud to end her season on a high note.
Reflecting on her journey, Alfred admitted that preparing for Brussels had been difficult, especially after her loss in Zurich, where Richardson narrowly beat her with a time of 10.84 seconds. However, Alfred used the experience as motivation, stating that the criticism she received after Zurich fueled her determination. She felt the need to prove herself, not only to the public but also to herself, that her success was no fluke. This victory marked a significant moment for Alfred, as she continues to defy the odds as the first Saint Lucian to win an Olympic medal.
Alfred mentioned in her interview that some online comments suggested she was a “one-time thing,” which was disheartening for her to read. However, instead of letting the negativity get to her, she channeled it into her training, determined to prove her doubters wrong. Her victory in Brussels, where she once again faced off against Richardson, was a testament to her resilience.
Looking forward, Alfred revealed that she plans to head back to Saint Lucia and Aruba for some well-deserved rest, having not returned home since winning her Olympic gold in Paris. She expressed excitement about finally relaxing after a challenging season.
Before the Brussels race, Alfred faced mental and emotional challenges but used the lessons from her previous losses as motivation. With the season tally between her and Richardson standing at 2-2, her Brussels win was not only a personal victory but also a chance to silence her critics and reaffirm her place among the elite in track and field.
As the track season concludes, Julien Alfred has made it clear that she is here to stay, and her performance in 2024 has established her as a serious contender in the sport, setting up an exciting rivalry with Richardson for the future.
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