On Thursday, Julien Alfred formally accepted the role of Tourism Ambassador for Saint Lucia.
In a ceremony held at The Harbor Club in Gros Islet, the 23-year-old Olympic medallist expressed awe at the outpouring of support she has received since arriving in Saint Lucia on Tuesday—revealing too that her appointment as Ambassador is a significant milestone.
“Right now, I’m not sure which one means the most to me, winning the Olympic gold or just being an ambassador for Saint Lucia,” she shared, rousing the room to applause before adding, “I am a proud Saint Lucian, and it’s always an honour representing Saint Lucia on a global stage no matter where I go and I will never switch my allegiance, ever.”
According to tourism officials, the ambassadorship was arranged by the Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, Dr. Ernest Hilaire—who was said to have led negotiations with Puma’s representative and Alfred’s manager, Henry Rolle.
As an ambassador, Alfred will make personal appearances on behalf of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) and for their collaborative campaigns with associated agencies, including Invest Saint Lucia, the Cultural Development Foundation, the Events Company of Saint Lucia, and Export Saint Lucia.
The SLTA expects Alfred’s first event appearance to be the upcoming World Travel Market in November.
Alfred will also be interviewed across mediums and appear in advertising campaigns and on collateral material on the SLTA’s websites.
Thaddeus Antoine, SLTA’s Chairman: “…But for us, the crème de la crème is the co-branding. When she competes at the World Championships or Olympics, she competes under the banner of Saint Lucia… we’re going to co-brand Julien along with Puma.”
Antoine explained that the star athlete’s branded tracksuits would continue to feature the Puma logo on one side of her jersey while the SLTA’s logo featuring Saint Lucia’s iconic twin peaks would dawn the other.
Her branded clothing, particularly warmup and press outfits, will feature QR code marketing.
During his speech, Alfred’s Manager, Henry Rolle, revealed high interest in collaborating with Julien and Puma.
He said, “The branding for the second logo, she had many choices and Puma had many choices also, and some even wanted to bid but Puma decided that no, we wanted something that she truly loves, and she truly loves Saint Lucia.”
Rolle added, “We’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of fast individuals and … special, gifted individuals, but everybody loves Julien at Puma. Her personality is so inviting, she embraces the brand, and she truly is an ambassador for Puma. We will truly embrace this partnership and amplify Saint Lucia.”
At Thursday’s ceremony, Alfred received an honorary Gimmie Award—a local accolade for excellence in the hospitality industry, original artwork by Christie Gustave, and lifetime membership for the Iyanola Lounge at the Hewanorra International Airport.
Holding back tears during her speech, the Olympic Champion shared, “[I was] just a young girl from Ciceron, just trying to find her way, figure out life as she goes along, just not knowing where she would end up. And now, being an ambassador for such a beautiful country with lovely people as well, I just feel so honoured right now and it warms my heart and I just feel blessed to be able to represent a nation of lovely people.”
What an honour it is to have our celebrated St Lucian Olympian as a tourism ambassador. Of course we all know that Julien Alfred is a very proud St Lucian. Kudos and brava to her excellence in sport and diplomacy.
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BUT!! and that is a HUGE BUT!!! I sincerely hope that our leaders and powers that be – FIX the eyesores in the Castries “City” – mainly the shanties and filth stinking up our CITY GATES: the fishing village at the bottom of the Millenium Highway roundabout at Faux-a-Chaux, and the “fish market” in the corner of Peynier and Jn Baptiste Streets which are eyes-sores and stinkies.
They really should, and could, use their common sense in that regard of these festering eye-sores. I am not saying to hide them, but instead consider a re-location. Whatever happened, or is happening to the defunct “Fisheries Complex” at Pointe Seraphine, which is sitting there idle. FIX THE COMESS!
Whenever I see tourists visitors in Castries meandering around the filthy, smelly fish market – I shudder and feel utterly embarrassed! According to some of the populace, they refer to Castries City as “Castries Shitty”! Can you blame them? St Lucia should be hailed as a clean country – remember negativity is what always comes first!
FIX IT!! Over to the people heading the CCC, to the MP for Castries Central, and the Ministry of Finance (you know who you are!). Show some class, decorum and respect for St Lucia and St Lucians.
Congratulations once again Juju!…I know all this is of good deed but a picture tells a thousand words….if you look at the politicians they look like they up to something else,watch how they all steering closely ensuring that she sign this contract,seems creepy and weird to me…….almost like they trying to claim that JuJu is a strong hold SLP…..the Jamaican opposition party tried similar stunt by having the most popular living jamaican as an advocate at their rally…..JuJu better keep focus and stuck to her career cuz only because of her accolade achievements those politicians are up in a frenzy….you are a very humble and wise beautiful young woman,please don’t give into them trying to bring division amongst us,you are the only one I have ever seen bring the whole of st.lucia as one,you have your own power,nothing political,embrace it.
Poise, Grace, Class, Humility, Beauty, Demure… Saint Lucia could not have a better Ambassador. I am very proud this young lady represents us on the international stage. She would do more than all the politicians combined who have acted on behalf of Saint Lucia. That is the power of sporting excellence. I have called incessantly for more sport of various kinds leading to professional careers as a remedy for societal decay. This past few days have shown the fever pitched euphoria that engulfed Saint Lucia when Miss Alfred came home. Beautiful to see the young people eager and enthusiastic to meet our sporting icon. Now let’s watch the excellence miss Alfred’s achievements will bear in Saint Lucia. I have no doubt that atleast one person ( and I am being very conservative here ) will achieve greatness because of Miss Alfred’s achievements. Miss Alfred has single handedly united a nation that has shown political divide along party lines. What a nation of over achievers we are. We perhaps, because of Miss Alfred has started to believe this.
Two Majestic Pitons, the only pair its kind anywhere in the world.
Two Noble Laureates, the most per capita of any sovereign nation.
Darren Sammy, first Cricket captain to win two World cup Cricket championship trophies.
LaVern Spencer and her high jump exploits in the Commonwealth games, Latin American games and international competitions… Ça Continue.
For a small nation, we are indeed contributing and over achieving on the international stage. Now imagine how much more we can achieve if we all come together, unite, and pull or push in the same direction…Ça Sera Formidable.
Big up yourself JUJU!! I felt every word you said from the heart, very humble and well presented young lady, keep striving JUJU beyond the universe is the limits….. LOVE ALL THE WAY