At just 23 years old, Julien Alfred has already etched her name in athletics history. The St. Lucian sprint sensation stormed to Olympic glory in Paris last year, securing gold in both the 100m and 200m, a historic feat that earned her nation its first-ever Olympic medal. Now, as she sets her sights on further dominance.
From Olympic Glory to Diamond League Dominance
Alfred’s meteoric rise reached its pinnacle at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she announced herself as the new face of women’s sprinting. However, rather than resting on her laurels, she has shifted her focus to the 2025 Wanda Diamond League season, a crucial stepping stone toward her next major goal.
Her Diamond League campaign kicks off with back-to-back appearances at the BAUHAUS Galan in Stockholm on June 12 and the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 15. These early-season races will be pivotal in securing qualification points for the Diamond League Final in Zurich later in August. For Alfred, maintaining momentum is key, especially since she won’t have the luxury of national trials to fine-tune her form ahead of the World Championships.
Why the Diamond League is Critical for Alfred’s 2025 Ambitions
The Wanda Diamond League is the most prestigious one-day track and field series in the world, featuring elite competition across 15 global meets. Athletes earn points at each event, with the top performers advancing to the two-day final in Zurich. For Alfred, this circuit is more than just a title defense, it’s a high-stakes training ground where she can test her speed against the world’s best.
Last year, she announced her Diamond League arrival in spectacular fashion, securing her first-ever meeting victory in Monaco before clinching the 100m Diamond Trophy in Brussels. This year, she aims to replicate and exceed that success.
Embracing the Scandinavian Challenge
Alfred has expressed excitement about competing in Scandinavia for the first time, calling it a “dream” to experience the region’s renowned hospitality and electrifying atmospheres.
“I look forward to feeling the hospitality from the Scandinavian spectators and hope to live up to the standard of these two meetings and give them a memorable performance,” she told Diamond League News.
With rivals like Sha’Carri Richardson, Shericka Jackson, and Dina Asher-Smith likely to feature in the Diamond League, every race will be a battle.
Looking Ahead
While the Diamond League offers prestige and prize money, Alfred’s ultimate mission is the World Championships in Tokyo. Without national trials to rely on, she views the Diamond League as her proving ground.
“The upcoming Diamond League season is very important because I won’t be having any trials for the World Championships. So, I hope these races put me closer to my goals for Japan,” she explained.
As she takes on Stockholm and Oslo, the athletics world will be watching closely. Will she continue her reign as the fastest woman on the planet? Only time will tell—but if her past performances are any indication, Julien Alfred is just getting started.
