Julian Alfred: The Fastest Woman in the World Takes Gold for Saint Lucia
In a dazzling display of speed and prowess, Julian Alfred, a 23-year-old Texas Longhorn, left the world awestruck on the sun-baked track of Stade de France this past Saturday. Competing in the 100-meter dash at the Paris Olympics, Alfred clocked an astounding 10.72 seconds, securing Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal—a glorious gold.
This remarkable feat saw Alfred outpace the favored Sha’Carri Richardson of Team USA by a significant 0.15 seconds, marking the largest winning margin in the Olympic 100 meters since 2008.
A video shared on ‘X’ captured the euphoric celebration in Saint Lucia’s capital, Castries. Citizens cheered and embraced as Alfred crossed the finish line, their joy rippling through the island nation nestled in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, home to about 181,000 people, now united in their shared pride and jubilation.
In a post-race press conference, Alfred credited her success to the unwavering support of Texas Track and Field head coach Edrick Floreal. “I felt immense pressure to represent my country and honor the support from so many people. Coach Floreal helped me turn that pressure into motivation,” Alfred said. “He has stood by me through every peak and valley, and I am deeply thankful for his unwavering support and belief in me.”
Recruited by Floreal in 2019, Alfred spent five indoor and outdoor seasons with the Longhorns, culminating in her pivotal role in their 2023 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor National Championship victory.
Her accolades are numerous: Alfred is a champion in four different events, holding records in two. She boasts historical NCAA rankings—number 2 in the 200 meters and number 4 in the 400 meters sprints. Her exceptional performance earned her the titles of 2023 NCAA National Track Athlete of the Year and 2023 USTFCCCA Female Track Athlete of the Year.
While Team USA settled for silver, it was another triumph for Texas, whose alumni and students have now collectively garnered ten Olympic medals.
Julian Alfred’s journey is a testament to dedication, the power of mentorship, and the spirit of competition, making her victory a milestone not just for Saint Lucia but for the global athletic community.
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