Record-breaking athlete, 23-year-old Julien Alfred, has done it again. She made history as Saint Lucia’s first ever Olympic medalist at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, and simultaneously set a new national record of 10.72 seconds in the women’s 100-meter dash finals. She also won a silver medal in the women’s 200-meter finals.

Alfred is no stranger to record-breaking feats. Earlier, in March, she won gold at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, making her the North American Indoor record holder for the 60-meter dash. She is the first woman in the history of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to break the seven-second barrier with an impressive 6.98, and a previous 6.99 at the 2024 Millrose Games in February.

Government officials and Saint Lucians at home and abroad staged watch parties to cheer on the sprint star at the highly-anticipated Olympic track events held on Aug. 3 and Aug. 6, 2024. Commendations have been pouring in since.

Speaking on Tuesday after her final race, Alfred expressed relief that the campaign was over, and elation at having secured the first ever Olympic medals for Saint Lucia.

“It was a long five days for me. I’m happy for my country and for my coach. The work that he put in and the time he spent is what keeps me at this level. I am grateful that God got me through it, grateful that my coach got me to this level, and Saint Lucia now has two medals: one gold, and one silver. I can’t ask for anything more.”

Hon. Philip J. Pierre, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, spoke to sports network ESPN on Alfred’s accomplishments and what it means for the country.

“The country is elated. There is a sense of joy, national pride and fulfillment because of Julien Alfred. We are so proud of her. Her discipline, hard work, commitment, and her desire to succeed has placed her where she is today, winning gold and silver on the world's biggest stage. This is an achievement we could only dream of, but because of Julien we knew that there was a possibility because of her dedication to continuous improvement.”

Prime Minister Pierre also announced that a public holiday will be observed in honor of the sprint star's impressive wins.

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