At any major championship, a strong performance in the semi-finals usually makes an athlete’s confidence skyrocket heading into the round where the medals will be decided.
According to reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, this was exactly the case for her in Paris in August.
After getting through her heat comfortably in 10.95, Alfred, 23, was drawn in a brutal second semi-final that also included 2023 World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson and was supposed to have 10-time World and three-time Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Fraser-Pryce failed to turn up for the race meaning Alfred still had Richardson to contend with.
“When I saw the line-up, I was like man, I have to run! I really have to run tomorrow. I kept thinking about how I’m going to execute,” she said on a recent episode of Out D' Blocks on the SportsMax TV YouTube Channel.
“I had to psych myself up mentally,” she added.
The execution couldn’t have gone more perfectly for the St. Lucian as she blasted out of the blocks, getting a big lead on Richardson before shutting down towards the line to win in 10.84.
She then repeated in the final, speeding to a personal best and national record 10.72 to win her country’s first ever Olympic medal.
Alfred says her semi-final performance gave her the confidence she needed to produce her best in the final.
“After that semi-final, I gained so much confidence,” she said.
Crossing that line and executing such a good race and even slowing down in the last five metres of the race, I knew I had it in the bag as long as I go out there and do it in the final,” Alfred added.
The World Indoor 60m champion said the performance in the semi-final helped her to be calmer in the final.
“I was as relaxed as possible. The way that semi-final turned out was the best thing that happened to me because I gained all the confidence,” she said.
“Just going back to the warm-up area, my coach kept telling me we’re not done yet, we have one more round,” she added.
Bradley Jacks is a budding journalist and an avid sports fan. His love of research and sports has led him to SportsMax.tv, a place where those passions work hand in hand to allow him to produce content.
Ephraim Serette’s return to NAAATT presidency begins with successful officiating workshop
Ephraim Serette’s return to the presidency of the National Association of Athletic Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) is off to an encouraging start with the successful staging of a Technical Officiating Workshop on Sunday, December 8, at the Eddie Hart Grounds. Serette, who stepped down in 2020 to take up a government advisory role, reclaimed the presidency after defeating George Commissiong at the NAAATT Annual General Meeting on November 30.
The workshop, designed to enhance the skills of technical officials ahead of upcoming national and international athletic events, attracted 40 dedicated participants. The session was led by a team of highly esteemed lecturers, including World Athletics Gold-Level official and lecturer John Andalcio, International Area Photo Finish Judge Michelle Stoute, and World Athletics Lecturer Dexter Voisin, whose wealth of experience brought significant value to the training.
This initiative underscores NAAATT’s commitment to maintaining its reputation for excellence in athletics officiating. The association extended its gratitude to the facilitators for their expertise and the participants for their enthusiasm and dedication, highlighting the importance of such workshops in fostering continuous improvement within the sport.
The success of this workshop marks a positive start to Serette’s renewed leadership, setting a solid foundation for future advancements in athletics officiating and administration in Trinidad and Tobago.
Julien Alfred’s UK visit sparks global interest in St Lucia as a top destination
Olympic 100m gold medalist Julien Alfred has made an impressive debut as Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador, with her recent visit to the United Kingdom and the World Travel Market in early November highlighting the island’s charm to a global audience.
The St Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), in an exclusive with Sportsmax.TV, has highlighted the early indicators of Alfred’s positive influence on the island’s visibility in key markets like the UK. Building on the global buzz generated by her Olympic triumph—which saw Saint Lucia become the second most searched country on Google following her victory—the SLTA strategically leveraged Alfred’s visit to boost awareness of the Caribbean island’s offerings.
During her UK visit, Alfred engaged with media and travel industry stakeholders, elevating the island’s profile. The impact was immediate, with the SLTA reporting engagement figures that reached over 22 million people across platforms like Sky, the BBC, and national newspapers, as well as with travel journalists. While it’s too early to analyze visitor arrival data, the SLTA views these numbers as a credible indicator of Alfred’s influence.
"Julien’s endorsement has significantly enhanced our winter marketing drive in the UK, a critical period as travelers seek sunny destinations," a SLTA representative noted. "Her role as a proud St Lucian resonates with audiences and helps position our island as a must-visit destination."
Alfred’s promotional efforts complement a year-round push to highlight St Lucia’s vibrant tourism offerings. From hosting ICC World Cup Cricket matches to the Jazz & Arts Festival and the Lucian Carnival, the island’s appeal has been steadily growing. Her ambassadorial efforts, aligned with these initiatives, are expected to create a sustained boost in inquiries and interest.
The SLTA emphasized that Alfred’s involvement raises the bar for its UK outreach efforts, which typically see heightened activity during the winter sun travel season.
Looking ahead, the SLTA is optimistic about the long-term benefits of Alfred’s ambassadorship. The partnership includes a year-long program supported by PUMA, with plans for further brand projects and promotional visits. Balancing her athletics training and competition commitments remains a priority, ensuring Alfred can continue excelling in her sport while representing her homeland.
"Julien is a proud St Lucian, and her global success inspires pride across the island," the SLTA stated. "Her role as Tourism Ambassador has already demonstrated the potential to elevate St Lucia in our key markets, and we are confident this partnership will continue to thrive."
As Saint Lucia gears up for the peak tourism season, the island’s collaboration with its golden girl signals a bright future for both its tourism industry and its global brand appeal.
Returning BVIOC president Ephraim Penn charts bold vision for 2025-2028
Returning British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) President Ephraim Penn sets an ambitious course for the next four years, as he is determined to ensure that sports remain a unifying force in the island.
Re-elected alongside several key incumbents at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, Penn pledged to strengthen sports governance and infrastructure while fostering growth and inclusivity across the territory’s sporting landscape.
The AGM, attended by representatives from National Federations (NFs) and the Athletes’ Commission, served as both a reflection on past achievements and a roadmap for the future.
In his address, Penn emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and the alignment of sports initiatives with the International Olympic Charter.
“Our guiding principles will continue to align with the International Olympic Charter: to inspire through sports performance and education; excel by empowering everyone to achieve their best; and foster collaboration through impactful and effective partnerships,” Penn said during the AGM at the BVIOC Office in Tortola.
He also outlined a robust agenda that includes developing a national sports structure aimed at unifying sports governance in the BVI through one-on-one consultations with each NF to assess their status and provide tailored support.
Enhancing aquatic infrastructure, which targets the completion of a 25-metre competition swimming pool to provide athletes with a dedicated space for training and competition, as well as safeguarding athlete well-being, which involves the introduction of a Safeguarding Commission to prioritize athlete safety and welfare.
Additionally, Penn aims to educate and inspire through Olympic values; this academy will be a cornerstone of the BVIOC’s educational outreach via a BVI Olympic Academy, while advancing long-term athlete development will see collaborations with the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and the Ministry of Health to ensure athletes receive comprehensive support throughout their careers.
Representatives from archery, athletics, basketball, and other sports shared their 2024 highlights, while two new federations—cricket and surfing—were officially accepted into the BVIOC family, signaling the continued diversification of sports in the territory.
“Our open door policy remains in place for all National Federations, and we encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us on Fridays to discuss matters in which we can assist. We look forward to working together for great successes in all sports in the next quadrennial,” Penn added.
BVIOC Executive Committee: President: Ephraim Penn (returning); 1st Vice President: Sabinah Clement (returning); 2nd Vice President: Ashley Kelly (newly elected, former Athletes’ Commission Representative); Secretary General: Lloyd Black (returning); Treasurer: Mark Chapman (returning); Member at Large: Zebalon McLean
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