Julien Alfred says she’s racing for herself first — but knows the entire island of St. Lucia will be watching when she lines up for the women’s 200m at Saturday’s London Diamond League.
The 2024 Olympic 100m champion has won nine of her 10 races this season, and with her growing status as both a global sprint star and St. Lucia’s official tourism ambassador, Alfred admits there is pressure — but insists she’s learning to manage it.
“There can be pressure sometimes,” Alfred told reporters on Friday. “However, just a few weeks ago I switched that mindset. I’m doing it for myself first. St. Lucia is a reflection of me, and whatever comes with me, they’ll just have to take it.”
Since winning her country’s first-ever global gold medal in Glasgow this March, Alfred says she has returned to St. Lucia just three times — each time greeted like royalty.
“I’m recognised everywhere I go,” she said. “But being back on island, that’s my home. Born and raised there. It’s always a pleasure being with my people.”
She will need to be at her best on Saturday, as the women’s 200m field is stacked with quality. Alfred, who has a season's best of 21.88 and sits third in the World Athletics rankings, will face a strong British contingent led by Dina Asher-Smith (SB 22.65, PB 21.88) and Daryll Neita (PB 22.16), as well as Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (SB 22.57), Spain’s Jaël Bestué (PB 22.19), Australia’s Torrie Lewis (PB 22.88), fellow Caribbean sprinter Ashanti Moore of Jamaica (SB 22.66), and Great Britain’s Amy Hunt (PB 22.42). With this level of competition, a clean execution will be key.
Alfred, who trains in London alongside Asher-Smith, says her competitive nature doesn’t turn off — not even in practice.
“I’m very competitive. To be the best, you have to start from training,” she said. “You can’t skylark and be at the back of the pack in practice. Training with Dina is always competitive — she’s a great athlete.”
With no national trials to contest, Alfred is using every Diamond League meet as a stepping stone toward the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
“I think I’m just hoping for great execution,” she said when asked about her expectations for Saturday. “Each race, I try to work on the little things with my coach to prepare for Tokyo.”
While St. Lucia is yet to field a women’s 4x100m relay team at major championships, Alfred is hopeful for the future.
“We do have a few athletes coming up,” she said, pointing to Naomi London, now based at the University of Texas, and CARIFTA double gold medallist Jady Emmanuel. “I’m hoping in the near future we can have a relay team.”
As for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, Alfred isn’t looking that far ahead just yet.
“One step at a time, one race at a time, one championship at a time,” she said.
Asked to complete the sentence “London would be a great host city for the 2029 World Athletics Championships because…”, Alfred smiled.
“The crowd,” she replied. “Last year was my first time competing here, and that stood out the most. But also, we have so many St. Lucians here in London. It would be a pleasure to compete in front of them.”