Julien Alfred, St. Lucia’s first Olympic medalist, returned home to a jubilant reception at Hewanorra International Airport on Tuesday.
Among the welcoming party were Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and officials from the St. Lucia Olympic Committee.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the 23-year-old thanked her family, friends, and coach Edrick Floréal for their support throughout her journey.
Alfred won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m at the Paris Olympics, marking a historic achievement for her country. Celebrations will continue with various events over the next few days.
An emotional Alfred was at a loss for words.
“I don’t want to get emotional, but today I really want to give thanks,” Alfred said.
“Even when I gave up, he [Modeste] came back to look for me in Ciceron. So many people have guided me and helped me to get to this point, and I really just want to say thank you to all of you, even those I haven’t mentioned. I just want to say thank you,” she shared.
“I have dreamt of this day for such a long time—just being an inspiration to the youth of St Lucia, wanting to give back and wanting to inspire them so we can have many more Levern Spencers and many more Daren Sammys and many more like myself,” Alfred added.
Prior to her Olympic Games exploits, Alfred also copped the World Indoor 60m title as she consistently etched her name in the annals of St Lucia’s and the world’s sporting history, according to a report of Sportsmax.
While many now share in her success, Alfred highlighted that the journey was by no means smooth sailing, it narrated.
“It was truly a rocky road. Many days I wanted to just give up, throw in the towel, and just say, ‘I’m done’. But my village, those persons who were around me, I just want to say thank you for just everything you have done for me. I really appreciate it,” Alfred noted.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre pointed out that Alfred’s athletic prowess was a reminder that the potential for excellence is very much alive in the island with a population of just over 179,000.
“Julien’s recent achievements at the Olympic Games transcend sports. They have been a source of inspiration to all St. Lucians, especially our youth,” Pierre noted.
Meanwhile, Youth Development and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir likened Alfred’s success to a blessing from God, as St. Lucia is the only nation named after a woman.
“And it is a woman that has taken us to the pinnacle of the entire globe. We are blessed because we have the perfect representative of a St. Lucian taking us to that level. Somebody who is kind. Somebody who loves people, somebody who is generous and humble. That person is Julien Alfred,” Casimir declared.
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