Julien Alfred’s rise to prominence on the global stage has not only transformed her life, but her success has also elevated the consciousness and national identity of Saint Lucians at home and in the diaspora. Everyone, from politicians seeking a first or second term to everyday locals looking for inspiration, has cited the athlete as a role model for both young and old.
Alfred is a history maker on several fronts. Besides winning the nation’s first Olympic gold and silver medals at Paris 2024, Alfred is also its first Diamond League Champion, and a double champion at that, and a World Championships bronze medallist. As with any inaugural triumph, she has inspired Saint Lucians to believe that small islanders can not only compete on the global stage but thrive.
The Ciceron native has had an obvious impact in the sports arena, starting with her sport of choice, athletics. Since her rise to prominence, more eyes are on the development of this arena than ever before in Saint Lucia’s history, which has led to corporate Saint Lucia also taking notice.
One of Alfred’s key local sponsors, 1st National Bank (St Lucia) Ltd, has led the way in this regard, backing the athlete and positioning her as a brand ambassador since her collegiate days at the University of Texas. Since then, other brands have sponsored local athletes, such as sprinter Naomi London’s partnership with Bank of Saint Lucia, further indication that Alfred is serving as a game changer for her sport.
She has inspired athletes in other sporting disciplines as well. After her victory in Paris, the Ciceron native’s prowess served as direct motivation for the Saint Lucia Kings franchise, who lifted their maiden Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title in the same year. Kings head coach Daren Sammy, in a post-final interview, said that the team was “inspired” by Alfred’s exploits, further noting this was the most focused Saint Lucia Kings unit he had ever seen.
But Alfred’s impact goes well beyond the sporting arena. Saint Lucian professionals across sectors point directly to the 24-year-old as a beacon, lighting their own route to possibilities.
For example, a group of culinary chefs who represented Saint Lucia at this year’s TASTE competition in Barbados wanted to be recognised as “culinary Julien Alfreds”, as they strove to represent Fair Helen.
After receiving international certification to operate the tower crane for the island’s prominent Halls of Justice project earlier this year, veteran tradesman Douglas Morgan revealed that he “feels like Julien Alfred”, mirroring the sprinter’s excellence at her profession, with his.
And then there is the Juju Effect on Saint Lucia’s most prominent industry, tourism. According to Writeups 24, Saint Lucia ranked as the second most-searched country on Google during the Paris Olympic Games, linked directly to Alfred.
Upon her homecoming in September 2024, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) appointed Julien Alfred as a Tourism Ambassador, honouring her as “the world’s fastest woman”. Since then, several prominent figures in the athletics industry have visited the island, including triple World champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and her husband, Rolan Wooden II, as well as the mother of fellow sprint star Noah Lyles.
Still in the infancy of her career, Alfred has already made her mark. She continues to be the rising tide which is lifting all Saint Lucian professionals.
