The track spikes worn by national hero Julien Alfred this year have been sold at auction for US$75 000. The Olympic champion raised over US$100 000 on October 11, as part of a fundraising celebratory cocktail hosted by sponsors BodyHoliday – Power and Grace: An Evening in Honour of Julien Alfred. The winning bidder now owns a piece of history while helping to build the next generation of Saint Lucian athletes.
Earlier this year, Alfred won her second straight Wanda Diamond League women’s 100m title. The 24-year-old from Ciceron captured Saint Lucia’s first-ever World Championships medal, bronze in the 100m at Tokyo 2025. She did it all wearing a custom pair of PUMA Nitro sprint spikes, purchased this weekend by American basketball coach, manager, and businessman, Kevin Graves.
Graves, the mentor and business manager of NBA and Team USA men’s basketball star Bam Adebayo, spoke passionately of the need to support charitable organisations such as the Alfred Foundation. Whilst enjoying his second visit to Saint Lucia this year, Graves promptly put his money where his mouth was, posting the winning bid for the track star’s autographed footwear. Bidding started at US$1 500 for the shoes, which were moulded on Alfred’s feet. The spikes were mounted on a piece of rubberised track emblazoned with Saint Lucia’s area code, 758.
Also auctioned off were the PUMA jersey and bib worn by Alfred at Tokyo 2025. Former collegiate and professional basketballer Marcellus Bax Stiede paid US$1 900 for the item. Stiede has declared his independent candidacy for the Castries North constituency at the next General Elections. Bids for the lot commenced at US$500.
Alfred’s foundation received an anonymous donation of US$25 000 on the night. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority presented $5 000. Sunswept Resorts/BodyHoliday CEO Andrew Barnard gave US$10 000. Bay Gardens donated US$5 000.
The Daren Sammy Foundation added EC$10 000. Sammy was represented by his wife, Cathy Daniel-Sammy, vice president of his foundation. The two-time World Cup-winning captain and West Indies all-format men’s head coach shared a video message from India, voicing his support for Alfred and encouraging attendees to donate.
Also supporting the festivities were Olympians Vernon Norwood of the USA and Rashidat Adeleke of Ireland, both of whom declared their intention to visit the island again in the future. The audience included Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir, senior tourism officials, athletics leaders, legal luminaries, and members of the corporate sector.
The highlight of the evening was an intimate interview with the 2024 World Indoor 60m champion, during which she stated that she has taken aim at the World Record in that event. She also said that once her coach, Edrick Floréal, gives his blessing, she will be going for gold at next year’s Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026, health permitting. Levern Spencer is the only Saint Lucian ever to have won gold at those Games.
Entertainment at BodyHoliday’s Firefly Villa was provided by soca superstars Sly and Shemmy J. The evening also comprised a three-course culinary experience featuring baby octopus, Wagyu beef, and lobster.
