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• Julien Alfred honoured with special award and cash prize on 'Julien Alfred Day' in St. Lucia

  Julien Alfred’s whirlwind year of achievements was celebrated in grand style on Friday, designated as ‘Julien Alfred Day’ in her home country of St. Lucia. The Olympic gold and silver medalist, who has enjoyed a stellar first year as a professional athlete, received a special award and a cash prize in recognition of her historic accomplishments.

  The 22-year-old sprint star has had an unforgettable year. After winning the 60m title at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in March, she cemented her place in history with a gold medal in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, becoming the first St. Lucian to win an Olympic medal. She followed that performance with a silver in the 200m, further solidifying her status as a national hero. Alfred capped her remarkable season by winning the prestigious 100m Diamond League title in Brussels earlier this month.

  On Friday morning, the celebrations continued with a special award presented by George Pagoulatos, the Greek Ambassador to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The presentation held extra significance, as Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, making the moment a symbolic recognition of Alfred’s place among the world’s elite athletes.

  Following the ambassador's presentation, Alfred was then honoured by the St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) with a cash prize of EC$75,000, a token of appreciation for her historic feats on the global stage. The financial award was a gesture of gratitude for the pride and joy she has brought to St. Lucia.

  

  These latest tributes came on the heels of a private dinner held in her honour on Wednesday night, hosted by the BodyHoliday Resort and First National Bank, where family and friends gathered to celebrate her unprecedented achievements.

  The day of celebrations will be capped off with a special concert on Friday night, where fans, dignitaries, and fellow athletes came together to honour Alfred’s achievements in music and entertainment. It was an emotional moment for Alfred, who expressed her gratitude to the people of St. Lucia for their unwavering support throughout her journey.

  The sprint sensation has made history for her small island nation, and with her star continuing to rise, 'Julien Alfred Day' will no doubt be remembered as a significant moment in St. Lucia’s sporting history.

• Camacho-Quinn, Ta Lou Smith, and Paulino claim crowns in electrifying Athlos NYC debut

  In a night of high drama and world-class performances, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Marie-Josée Ta Lou Smith, and Marileidy Paulino emerged victorious at the inaugural Athlos NYC meeting held at Icahn Stadium on Thursday night. Joined by Faith Kipyegon, Brittany Brown, and Tsige Duguma, who also captured titles, the star-studded all-women's event showcased the very best of women’s athletics on a global stage.

  The brainchild of Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, the event brought together 36 elite female athletes to compete for one of the richest prize purses in track and field with US$60,000 to each winner. The sold-out stadium, buzzing with energy and filled with celebrity attendees, witnessed six intense events where athletes vied not only for cash prizes and recognition but also for a stunning Tiffany crown valued at US$25,000. To top it off, the evening was augmented by music and entertainment, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a festival of sport than a traditional meet.

  Camacho-Quinn set the tone early, storming to victory in the 100m hurdles in 12.36 seconds against a stacked field. Alaysha Johnson finished a close second in 12.43, while Olympic champion Masai Russell took third with a time of 12.44. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, a two-time world champion, finished fifth with 12.56.

  In the 100m, Marie-Josée Ta Lou Smith put on a masterclass, claiming the crown with a time of 10.98 seconds in a hotly contested race. Brittany Brown, the 2024 Diamond League 200m champion, was a close second with a season-best 11.05, followed by Candace Hill in third with 11.14. Brown's night didn’t end there, as she later returned to edge Olympic champion Gabby Thomas in the 200m, clocking 22.18 to Thomas’ 22.21.

  Marileidy Paulino, the Olympic champion, dominated the 400m with a commanding 49.59, holding off Alexis Holmes, who finished second in 49.99 after overtaking Salwa Eid Naser down the home stretch. Naser ended up third in 50.44.

  Faith Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic 1500m champion, put in a characteristic performance, cruising to victory in a controlled 4:04.79, comfortably ahead of Diribe Welteji (4:05.58) and Susan Ejore-Sanders (4:06.25).

  In the 800m, Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma outclassed her rivals, including Kenya’s Mary Moraa and Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin, with a late burst in the final stretch to win in 1:57.43. Moraa placed second in 1:58.05, while Goule-Toppin, running one of her best races of the season, clocked 1:58.63 for third.

  The groundbreaking Athlos NYC meeting is more than just a competition; it marks a transformative moment for women’s athletics. With its blend of elite performance, entertainment, and record-breaking financial rewards, it has set a new standard in the sport. Alexis Ohanian's vision of a premier all-women’s track meet has been realized, and the Athlos NYC meeting has already positioned itself as a must-watch event on the global track and field calendar.

• 'You can be where Julien Alfred is': Joanna Alfred encourages aspiring athletes to reach for their goals

  Joanna Alfred is a proud mother, and it is clear for all to see.

  But while she basks in the accomplishments of her daughter Julien Alfred and the recognition that comes with having a historic double Olympic medallist in the family, the senior Alfred used the opportunity to remind aspiring athletes that they too can become a national hero like her daughter.

  “Yes, she is one of the biggest heroes today because of where she came from and where she started. And I also want children to learn from that and understand that it doesn't matter where you come from; you can still be where Julien Alfred is,” a beaming Joanna said as the island continues to celebrate her daughter's homecoming.

  Having come from humble beginnings in Ciceron, situated in St Lucia’s capital Castries, Alfred honed her talent overtime and rose through the ranks on her way to copping an historic 100m gold and 200m silver at the Paris Olympic Games in August. Prior to that, she became the first St Lucian to win a World Indoor 60m title.

  

  Those accomplishments followed an impressive NCAA campaign in which she copped the NCAA indoor 60m and 200m titles, as well as the outdoor honours over 100m and 200m. She was also the 2023 Bowerman Award winner, the prize given to the outstanding collegiate track and field athlete each year.

  While the journey was by no means easy for either Alfred or her family, Joanna pointed to one thing in particular that assisted her daughter along the way –parental support.

  “You can support your child. God will do the rest. So everything's going to fall into place,” she declared.

  “They say it takes a village to raise a child, and indeed it does because if I didn't have the support of at least Twa Ti Ney [Julien’s local coach, Cuthbert Modeste] when her father passed, he became the father figure in this young lady’s life, then again I would have to struggle, so it took a village to raise a child as well,” Joanna shared.

  Beyond the background support, Joanna pointed out that Alfred’s grit, determination, and unflinching desire to become a successful athlete were the foundation on which she rose to prominence and inevitably became the sprint queen of the island with a population of just about 180,000 people.

  “It was not the food on her plate but the food in her mind that really encouraged her because even when she faced situations, the food in her mind really encouraged her to be where she is,” Joanna declared.