The Olympic 100m champion talks about her ambitions at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
By Nick Hope
“When I looked at Usain Bolt, all I saw were medals,” recalls Olympic champion Julien Alfred. “Then going through it myself, I realized it’s not always a straight line, and careers aren’t always linear. I, like everyone else, have had to go through hardships, and I think it’s important that I’m honest about that.”
With an Olympic title, as well as numerous historic major World and Commonwealth Games medals secured before turning twenty, you could be forgiven for thinking that the St Lucian’s journey to the pinnacle of his sport has been uneventful.
Especially given the apparent ease with which the sprinter has won many of his accolades. Only when she takes a moment to pause and reflect on these successes does the athlete realize and appreciate how her powerful, passionate performances were largely driven by losses. Not just on the track, but off the track as well.
“From a young age I just wanted to win, but growing up we also struggled financially, so I saw it (life as a professional athlete) as a way to improve my lifestyle and my family’s,” Alfred told Generation Glasgow.
“One of my biggest struggles was losing my dad in 2013 (aged 12) and I actually quit the sport because after his death my motivation just wasn’t there. I was sad for a long time.” Alfred admits that he owes his childhood coach “more or less everything” as he, Cuthbert Modest, has come looking for him and insists that he will “do anything” to get him back on track.
For many in the Caribbean, this ultimately requires a “huge sacrifice” to leave their homeland and at the age of 14 he moved to Jamaica to “try and be the best in the world”.
Alfred made significant strides and won his first major 100m title for his home country in 2017, winning St Lucia’s first Commonwealth Youth Games gold in the 100m in the Bahamas. It was an achievement that cemented her love of movement, and five years after moving her base to Texas to compete in the United States Collegiate (NCAA) system, she won 100m silver at Birmingham 2022, behind Jamaican legend Elaine Thompson-Hera.
“I was about 21 and it was right after the World Championships (where he was disqualified in the 100m semi-final) and my coach was saying, “I got silver behind Elaine, who I didn’t know much about until she won double (Olympic) gold in 2016, but I really admire her and it was a real honor to compete against her.
“Since then, I’ve grown as a person and now I see him not only as one of the two (Olympic) gold medalists, but also as one of my rivals.” Along with his confidence, Alfred’s roll of honor is sure to expand beyond Birmingham 2022.
He starts smiling as soon as Paris 2024 is mentioned, and understandably so. 18 months ago in the French capital, he cemented his place in Caribbean sporting history by winning St Lucia’s first ever gold medal in any sport. So with their sprinting sensation’s Olympic gold (100m) and silver (200m) medals, his government reverently declared September 27th “Julien Alfred Day”.
“Paris 2024 I smiled because it was a life-changing experience for me,” he says. “Saint Lucia’s first (Olympic) medal and gold at that was a win for me and my country and shows how my hard work has paid off.
His next big event in the near future will see the sprinter return to the UK and the city where he won his first world title, Glasgow. This summer he is aiming to “upgrade” the silver secured at Birmingham 2022.
“I’m excited to be back and I’m looking forward to Glasgow 2026,” he says. “It was really cold last time I was there, so hopefully it will be a bit warmer this time. “I want to add to my medal collection and the Commonwealth title is one I’d like to add to as I’m trying to build a legacy so that when I step off the track one day people will say I’ve done all I can.”
The action kicks off in Glasgow on July 23, with six days of athletics action starting on July 27, with every moment giving spectators a chance to be a part of. The women’s 100m final on July 28 at 6pm is available from £55 for adults and £40 for concessions. The countdown continues. Scotstown is preparing. You don’t want to miss this.
