Julien Alfred, a sprinter from the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia, delivered an outstanding performance at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston over the weekend (Feb. 2), securing victory in the women’s 300m with a time of 36.16secs. This remarkable time set a new national record for her country.
Alfred led the race from the start, with split times of 11.83 at 100m and 23.18 at 200m, before finishing ahead of Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. Alfred’s performance has continued to solidify her position as a top-tier sprinter going into the 2025 indoor season. After her victory, Alfred stated that she plans to compete in the 300m and 400m during the indoor season.
Other Notable Caribbean Performances
Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones also made an impact at the New Balance Grand Prix, finishing second in the men’s 60m dash with a season’s best time of 6.57 seconds. Jones was narrowly defeated by American World Champion Noah Lyles, who finished in 6.52secs. Jones’s performance demonstrates his competitiveness on the international stage.
Several other Caribbean athletes displayed strong performances in Boston. Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford finished second in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.19m; Bahamian Devynne Charlton placed third in the women’s 60m hurdles with a season’s best time of 7.85secs; and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards took third place in the men’s 400m 46.49. These performances are a testament to the depth of talent within the Caribbean athletic community.
Alfred had a highly successful campaign at the Paris Olympics; she won the 100m race, outpacing the reigning American World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson and set a national record, becoming the first Olympic gold medalist from St. Lucia. In addition, Alfred secured a silver medal in the 200m race. In honor of her victory, the St. Lucian government declared September 27, 2024, as ‘Julien Alfred Day’.
Since 2022, Alfred has been making waves on the track, including competing for the Texas Longhorns at the NCAA level. Her elite resume includes a 100m silver win at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships. She has stated her motivation is to be the best in the world, put her country on the map, and prove her place among great athletes. Alfred also broke the seven-second barrier in the 60m as a student-athlete, becoming the first NCAA sprinter to achieve this feat.
Alfred has stated that her training regime is focused on enhancing her strength and endurance. This emphasis on overall athletic development is a common theme among high-performing athletes. By working closely with her coach, she is aiming to improve in both the 300m and 400m events.
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