Fresh off her historic Olympic gold medal win in the women’s 100m, St. Lucian sprint sensation Julien Alfred is ready to defend her Diamond League title as she kicks off her outdoor season at the Bislett Games in Oslo.
The 24-year-old, who became St. Lucia’s first-ever Olympic champion last year in Paris, faces a stacked field in her 2025 Diamond League debut, including European champion Dina Asher-Smith, three-time world medallist Marie-Josée Ta Lou, Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, and Britain’s Daryll Neita.
A New Target on Her Back
Julien Alfred’s life has transformed since her Olympic triumph, and she acknowledges the heightened expectations.
“My life has changed for the better, especially being able to represent my small island of St. Lucia with just under 200,000 people,” Alfred said in a pre-race Diamond League press conference.
“Becoming a tourism ambassador for my country, obviously being recognized more now… Just stepping to the line, there’s a lot more pressure on my back, and there’s a target on my back now. But I’m ready for every challenge presented to me.”
Her 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular, after Olympic gold, she capped it off by becoming St. Lucia’s first Diamond League champion in Brussels. Now, as she returns to the circuit, she carries not just her nation’s hopes but also the weight of being the woman to beat.
Fierce Competition Awaits
Though Sha’Carri Richardson is absent from this race, Alfred’s rivals are formidable. Dina Asher-Smith, the 2019 world 200m champion, is seeking a statement win ahead of the Tokyo World Championships.
Meanwhile, Marie-Josée Ta Lou, a consistent force in global sprinting, is coming off a strong third-place finish in Rome.
Julien Alfred has been undefeated in her five races this year, but Oslo marks her first true test against a world-class Diamond League field.
A Star on the Rise
Alfred’s journey from NCAA dominance to global stardom has been meteoric. In 2023, she claimed the world indoor 60m title and shattered collegiate records. By 2024, she stunned the world with her Olympic victory, proving she could outpace the sport’s biggest names.
Alfred aims to cement her status as 2025’s sprint queen at upcoming Oslo and Stockholm Diamond League meets.
“I’m using my voice to promote my country,” she said.
“I realize I have a talent that’s going to glorify God.”
With the Tokyo World Championships looming, a strong performance in Oslo could send a clear message: Julien Alfred isn’t just a champion, she’s here to stay.
