Castries, St. Lucia – Olympic sprint queen Julien Alfred returned to St. Lucia on Tuesday to a grand welcome at Hewanorra International Airport.
The celebration marked the beginning of a four-day event honoring Alfred, who made history last month by becoming the country’s first Olympic medalist with gold in the women’s 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympics.
Alfred, 23, was greeted by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and other dignitaries. Speaking at the airport, an emotional Alfred expressed her gratitude to those who supported her journey. “I have dreamt of this day for such a long time – just being an inspiration to the youth of Saint Lucia,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd. “So many people have guided me and helped me to get to this point, and I really just want to say thank you.”
Road to success
She also reflected on the challenges she faced on the road to success, acknowledging the difficult moments when she felt like giving up but credited her support system for keeping her grounded.
Prime Minister Pierre described Alfred’s achievements as transcending sports, emphasizing the inspiration she has provided for the nation’s youth. Sports Minister Kenson Casimir praised her character, describing Alfred as “kind, generous, and humble.”
The celebrations were slated to continue on Wednesday, with student rallies at the Soufriere Mini Stadium and the La Resource playing field. Alfred will also visit her former school, Ciceron Primary, on Thursday for the unveiling of a mural in her honor. The national festivities will conclude on Friday with a concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, where her accomplishments will be formally celebrated.
