Julian becomes the new 'Sprint Queen'

On Saturday, she fulfilled this dream by winning gold in the women's 100m race at the Paris Olympics 2024. Carrie Richardson from America caught everyone's attention. It was only natural, because he is also a world champion. So Richardson was considered a strong candidate this time.

No American athlete has won gold in the men's and women's 100 and 200 meters since Justin Gatlin's success at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Richardson was believed to break America's 20-year drought. Alfred was different and won the gold in sensational fashion with a time of 10.72 seconds. Richardson managed just 10.87 seconds. America's Melissa Jefferson finished third with 10.92 seconds.

The journey to the Olympic podium was not easy for 23-year-old Julian. He is a staunch follower of Christianity. 69 thousand spectators were present in the stadium just to watch his game. This is only 100,000 less than the entire population of Saint Lucia.

She was just 12 years old, lost her father, Julian Hamilton. Five years later, she won a silver medal in the 100 meters at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Aunt Karen Alfred also has a big role in her life. She raised Julian. He also passed away. At that time, Julien said, "My father would also have wanted to win this medal." My father would have wanted to be on this occasion.' He claimed, "This is where my real playing life started." This is when I decided where my future lay. It was also a very scary experience for me. Probably, the future Olympic champion was born there in Buenos Aires. Otherwise, she was so depressed after losing her father that she made up her mind to quit athletics.

At the age of 14, she decided to go to Jamaica to study. It was the country where his idol Usain Bolt played from. Jan Julian left her home and family for Jamaica. "I was only 14 and it wasn't an easy time," she said earlier this week. But, I got a chance to go to Jamaica and it was a great opportunity. Even my mother gave approval for this. Mother did not say no. He told me to go if I wanted to go.'

It was such a decision, which matured Julian over time and she matured faster than her time. She remembers the old days and says, 'Growing up without your family and friends is not easy. It was very difficult for me to adapt to the situation. Julian is also fondly called 'Juju'. Even then, he felt, he probably didn't have the ability to win gold like Bolt.

But, his life took another turn, his playing career was taken over by Adrien Florial of the University of Texas. He is the same coach who trains European 100m champion Dina Acer Smith and Ireland's Rashidat Adeleke. Under the tutelage of her new coach, she turned into an excellent sprinter. She says now, 'Florial is a father, coach and mentor for me.' The coach treated me more like a daughter than a player.'' This coach also believes that Julien has recently transformed herself from a junior player to a top-class athlete. That's why Julien finished the race in 10.72 seconds in the 100m race and in the process managed to overtake Sakari Richardson, the strongest contender for the gold, in second place.

St. Lucia's Julian Alfred after finishing the 100 meter race . Photo: AFP