Fresh off a dominant season opener in Oslo, Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred is ready to reaffirm her status as the woman to beat at the Diamond League Stockholm.
The St. Lucian sprint sensation blazed to victory in 10.89 seconds last week, effortlessly surging past a stacked field that included rivals Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, Dina Asher-Smith, and Daryll Neita.
Now, with an almost identical lineup awaiting her in Stockholm, Julien Alfred is poised to deliver another statement performance, one that could further solidify her reign as the world’s premier female sprinter.
A New Level of Confidence
At a pre-race press conference, Julien Alfred reflected on how her Olympic gold medal in Paris reshaped her career.
“Nothing really [has changed],” Julien said with a humble smile.
“If anything, I’m running longer, 400s, 300s, which I don’t usually do. Before, I might run one 4×4 relay a year, but now, I’m pushing my endurance more.”
The Olympic triumph didn’t just enhance her training, it unlocked a new level of self-belief.
“Winning the Olympics has given me more confidence,” she admitted.
“But I haven’t gotten comfortable. I train every single day because I know somebody’s coming for me. Everybody wants to win, especially at the end of the season. So, I keep working hard.”
From NCAA Star to Global Champion
Julien Alfred’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After dominating the NCAA circuit, she announced herself on the world stage in 2023, claiming the World Indoor 60m title and shattering collegiate records. By 2024, she stunned the athletics world by dethroning the sport’s biggest names at the Paris Olympics.
Her Oslo Diamond League victory was a reminder of her dominance, even in what she described as an “unsatisfied” performance. With a quick turnaround to Stockholm, many expect her to challenge the world lead in the 100m.
The Competition Isn’t Backing Down
While Julien Alfred remains the favorite, Ta Lou-Smith, still in blistering form, poses a serious threat. Meanwhile, Dina Asher-Smith, her training partner, will be eager to close the gap after finishing behind her in Oslo.
For Alfred, however, the mission is clear.
“I know the target is on my back now,” she said.
“But that just means I have to keep pushing. Every race is a chance to show what I’m capable of.”
As the Diamond League Stockholm approaches, all eyes will be on Alfred, if she will deliver another Usain Bolt-esque performance.