MONACO — St. Lucia’s Olympic sensation Julien Alfred delivered a year of breathtaking accomplishments, yet it wasn’t enough to claim the coveted World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year title.
The honor went to American track icon Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at Sunday’s glittering ceremony.
Alfred’s dazzling season included an Olympic gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters at the Paris Games. She also triumphed in the 60 meters at the World Indoor Championships and captured the 100-meter title at the Wanda Diamond League, solidifying her place among the world’s elite. Her stellar performances earned accolades from the Association of National Olympic Committees, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, and Athletics Weekly.
However, McLaughlin-Levrone’s season was nothing short of extraordinary. Undefeated throughout the year, she shattered two world records and set an Olympic record, cementing her dominance and earning her back-to-back Female Athlete of the Year honors after first claiming the title in 2022.
A golden year for Alfred
Despite narrowly missing the top honor, Alfred’s achievements were historic for both her and St. Lucia. Her Olympic gold marked a crowning achievement in her illustrious career, and her consistent performance across multiple competitions elevated her status as one of the Caribbean’s brightest athletic stars.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s 2023 season was described as a masterclass in track and field excellence. With unmatched consistency, her record-breaking feats underscored her ability to dominate under pressure. This marked her as an unparalleled force on the global stage.
Other honors bestowed at the ceremony
While McLaughlin-Levrone claimed the spotlight, other remarkable athletes were also honored. Dutch long-distance phenom Sifan Hassan was named Female Athlete of the Year and Out of Stadium Female Athlete of the Year.
Hassan’s Paris Olympic campaign was a marathon of triumphs. She claimed an unprecedented triple: bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and a gold medal in the marathon with an Olympic record of 2:22:55 hours. Her versatility made her the first woman to medal in all three events at the same Games, echoing the legendary feat of Emil Zátopek in 1952.
Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh was celebrated as the Field Events Female Athlete of the Year, adding another layer of diversity to the evening’s accolades.
Julien Alfred may have missed the top prize, but her accomplishments have firmly established her as a global track powerhouse. As St. Lucia basks in the pride of her achievements, the world eagerly anticipates what she will achieve next.
