Saint Lucia’s sprint queen gets hero’s welcome

ouble Olympic medallist Julien Alfred returned to Saint Lucia on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome at Hewanorra International Airport. It was her first time on island since winning the nation’s first medals at the Olympic Games in August, and winning the Diamond League women’s 100m final in Brussels.

 

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, other government members and Saint Lucia Olympic Committee personnel were among the official welcoming party.

 

“I don’t want to get emotional, but today I really want to give thanks,” Alfred said as she mentioned the people who had supported her, her village, her family, her mother, the Saint Lucia Government, her coach Edrick Floréal, the University of Texas, and Cuthbert Twatiné Modeste.

 

Julien recalled that Modeste, whom she later warmly embraced after exiting the VIP lounge, took an interest in her at a very tender age. “Even when I gave up, he came back to look for me in Ciceron,” the Paris 2024 100m champion and 200m silver medallist stated. “So many people have guided me and helped me to get to this point and I really just want to say thank you to all of you, even those I haven’t mentioned. I just want to say thank you.”

 

“I have dreamt of this day for such a long time – just being an inspiration to the youth of Saint Lucia, wanting to give back and wanting to inspire them so we can have many more Levern Spencers and many more Daren Sammys and many more like myself,” she said.

 

Nevertheless, Alfred explained that success did not come easy.

“It was truly a rocky road. Many days I wanted to just give up, throw in the towel and just say, ‘I’m done’. But my village, those persons who were around me, I just want to say thank you for just everything you have done for me. I really appreciate it,” she said to more applause.

 

Prime Minister Pierre told the brief ceremony that it was a day for celebration and reflection. He urged Saint Lucians to turn out in large numbers for the events planned to celebrate Alfred’s achievements.

 

“Julien’s recent achievements at the Olympic Games transcend sports. They have been a source of inspiration to all Saint Lucians, especially our youth,” said Pierre who noted that through dedication, hard work and self-belief, “we can be among the best in the world”.

 

Youth Development and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir: “We are blessed because we have the perfect representative of a Saint Lucian taking us to that level. Somebody who is kind. Somebody who loves people, somebody who is generous and humble. That person is Julien Alfred.”

 

Celebrations continued deep into the night along the highways and byways of Saint Lucia. The prime minister has declared Friday a public holiday in honour of the nation’s brightest new star.

(St Lucia Times)