Alfredo’s passion for athletics was dampened by the loss of her father, Julian, who took her to training sessions and constantly told friends how fast his daughter was.
“I felt like the person who wanted me to get to this point in my career was no longer here. I felt there was no need to continue,” Alfred said.
Confident of returning to the sport after a break, Alfred hinted at medals to come when he won gold at the Commonwealth Games 100m in 2017 and silver at the Youth Olympics a year later.
She won her first senior international medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and after finishing fourth over 200m and fifth over 100m at the 2023 World Championships, Alfred announced her Olympic credentials by winning world indoor 60m gold in March.
But rather than instilling confidence that she could land Olympic gold, that success – another first for St Lucia – almost derailed Alfredo’s Paris bid.
“I wasn’t as motivated as I used to be,” she said. “I felt so much pressure when I got the chance to race because now I thought St Lucians expected so much from me.
“Every time I felt like I had to win. I felt like I couldn’t do it.”
After discussions with her trainer and agent, it was agreed that Alfred would prioritize her mental well-being and withdraw from competitions.
She admitted there was a point earlier this year when she feared she wouldn’t be fit enough to compete in the Games.
But when she was able to rekindle her Olympic ambitions, her form was evident at the London Diamond League in July, where Alfredo ran a personal best 200m of 21.86 seconds.
Not only did Alfred make it to Paris, but she left the French capital as a double sprint medallist, following her historic 100m triumph with Olympic silver in the 200m behind American Gabby Thomas three days later.
“It’s been a long journey. You don’t just get here. I left home at 14, moved to Jamaica, then Texas. I’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations, a lot of hardship,” Alfred said.
“When you finally cross the line and get the gold, the thing you’ve worked so hard for your whole life, it’s such an amazing feeling. I was screaming at the top of my lungs.”
On her return home, Alfred was greeted by the Prime Minister and the country’s streets were filled with support as she was escorted around the island in a motorcade, with several days of organized celebrations culminating in ‘Julien Alfred Day’.
Seeing the impact of her successes, she is determined to use her influence to develop sports in St Lucia, while also promoting her country on the world stage as a tourism ambassador.
“It’s such an amazing feeling (to represent St. Lucia). It’s been life-changing in so many different ways,” Alfred said.
“Using what I’ve done on the track to promote my country is life-changing.
“But also just seeing how much of an impact I’ve had on so many people’s lives — that’s life-changing for me, too.”
