Saint Lucia’s sprint queen Julien Alfred showered his coach Edrick Floreal with praise after another dominance in the Diamond League in Stockholm on Sunday night.
Speaking after the race ,in which she clocked 10.75 seconds, the Olympic champion has leaned heavily on his strategy, following his playbook race after race.
“Getting better and better and trusting my coach’s plan for me,” Alfred said after rewinding her race with Floreal. “He reassured me that I am in great shape … I was doubting myself, but I am happy today with how the race went” .
Eralier on, Alfred had won in 10.89 seconds in Oslo (June 12, 2025). This sis aftyer making her debut in the Diamond league since last year. However, in Stockholm, it wasn’t just a victory he shattered a 31-year-old record and was the second-fastest time globally this year.
Alfred had expressed her thoughts on the training transformation and mindset changes she underwent after winning medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics during her earlier interview with Diamond league.
“I have not been comfortable for sure. I know I really need to put more effort in training. Of course there is somebody coming who has an urge to win and so I have to put on my best.”
Formidable Rivalry
In Stockholm’s 100 m final, Alfred faced elite competitors; Britain’s two-time Olympic medalist Dina Asher‑Smith who clocked 10.93 finishing second. Her compatriot Daryll Neita came in fourth position with a time of 11.17. Among others like Marie‑Josée Ta Lou‑Smith of Ivory Coast who finished second after clocking 11.00 seconds.
In Oslo, she had already dispatched Ta Lou‑Smith and Asher‑Smith. With her times now approaching world-leading territory, Julien Alfred remains focused on training and executing.
“All I can do is continue training and trust the plan,” she said. She hinted that bigger targets lie ahead, particularly in September, where World athletics championships will be held in Tokyo, Japan.
