100m Champion Julian Alfred: The Young Girl Who Dreamt of Being the Next 'Usain Bolt'
When Julian Alfred, the Olympic Champion in the women’s 100m at the Paris Olympics 2024, was asked who she wanted to be when she grew up, the young girl said, “The next Usain Bolt”.
The 23-year-old has made her boldest of ambitions come true on Saturday. From a tiny country that had never won an Olympic medal, Alfred scripted history by crossing the line in 10.72 seconds powering away from US superstar Sha’Carri Richardson to claim Olympic medal gold.
Read also: IOC Partners With Saudi Arabia NOC For Inaugural Olympic Esports Games In 2025
Alfred emerged as the eighth fastest woman in history. Heading to the track for the 100m race, she wrote, “Julien Alfred, Olympic champion”.
The sprinter from the small Caribbean island strongly believed in herself that she could take Richardson down.
Dedicating the win to her dad, who strongly believed that she could fulfil her dreams. “He passed away in 2013, and now he couldn’t get to see me on the biggest stage of my career,” she said. “But he’ll always be so boastful of his daughter being an Olympian”.
The night was all about Alfred. Clinching the gold medal, she said her life was all about running, struggling with no shoes in school uniform, and all over the place.
When asked about how her people would be celebrating, she smiled, “I’m sure they are having a time,” she added. “Playing music, celebrating, drinking beers”.
The Caribbean sprinters began when she was first spotted at the age of six or seven by her PE teacher and was asked to race the boys in her year.
And she was soon beating them too. However, a major hitback came when she had to quit the sport at the age of 12 after her father died.
With her coach’s encouragement, at the age of 14, she left for Jamaica all by herself.
Read also: Sha’Carri Richardson: ‘The Beauty And The Beast’ On Track
Julian Alfred’s rise from a young athlete in Saint Lucia to an Olympic champion and record-breaking sprinter exemplifies her talent and dedication. Her historic achievements include winning gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics and setting records in the 60 and 100 meters. As she has now completed the highest levels, she is poised to inspire future generations and solidify her legacy in the sport.
