Before stepping onto the track for the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic, Julien Alfred took a pause—this time not on the blocks, but behind the mic at the pre-meet press conference. Scheduled to compete in the women’s 100m on July 5, the St. Lucian star used the moment to reflect—not just on her preparations, but on a place that has shaped her journey in more ways than one: Hayward Field. When asked about her memories at the iconic stadium—home to the University of Oregon and a centerpiece of the Eugene Diamond League—Julien didn’t hold back. Her answer wasn’t just nostalgic; it was revealing.
“I won my first NCAA title here,” Alfred said with a proud smile. “But then, later on, a few months after that, my first World Championship, I false-started here as well. So I mean, it’s a love-hate relationship with Hayward Field.” In that brief, candid reflection, Julien wove together the highs and lows that have defined her path. Her NCAA breakthrough wasn’t just a trophy moment—it was the launchpad that catapulted her onto the global stage.
Behind every medal and misstep is a deeper story—and for Julien Alfred, the NCAA circuit was as much about building grit as chasing glory. The road wasn’t smooth. It was filled with challenges—new country, new system, fierce competition—but it was in those demanding college years that she forged the steel needed to stand among the world’s best.
In a recent chat with Athletics Weekly, Olympic champion Julien Alfred opened up about some formative experiences from her collegiate track career. Coming from the small island nation of Saint Lucia, adapting to life and athletics in the U.S. wasn’t instant. She trained with the Texas Longhorns under the guidance of renowned coach Edrick Floreal—a setup that might sound like a dream for any young sprinter. But for Alfred, the reality was far more challenging.
Recalling her early days, she shared, “I remember my first workout when we did 6 x 200m. For the first two, I was flying, and then, the last four, I could have barely make it to the line. That’s just how hard it was, and I had to get used to that programme.” There was no alternative but to adapt—and she did just that. Still, the road didn’t smooth out completely. After settling into the rigorous training, Alfred faced a new wave of challenges that tested her even further.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 03, 2024. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia celebrates after winning gold in the final REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Sharing more about those early struggles, Julien Alfred admitted, “I had not really lifted weights much, and in US I lift twice a week. Having to adjust to a whole new programme, a new coach, new environment, new team-mates was definitely something that took some time. And I would sometimes just cry. I wanted to go home because it was just so hard.”
Leaving her home in Saint Lucia at a young age, Julien had set her sights on competing in the highly competitive world of American track and field. It wasn’t a simple transition, but she was determined. Training under Edrick Floreal had been a major goal, and she knew the path wouldn’t be smooth. Still, she was willing to endure the hardships for the sake of her dream. In the end, those sacrifices weren’t in vain. Through the difficulties, Julien gained far more than just physical strength—she developed resilience, discipline, and a foundation that would eventually carry her to global success.
Julien Alfred earns many things as a result of her struggle
Julien Alfred’s rise has been nothing short of relentless—each season building on the last, with no signs of slowing down. Her back-to-back NCAA 100m titles in 2022 and 2023 laid the foundation, followed by a statement victory at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, where she claimed the 60m crown in March 2024. Then came the defining breakthrough: Olympic gold in the 100m. And now, in 2025, she’s showing the world she’s not done leveling up.
Though she opted not to defend her World Indoor 60m title this March, Julien hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, she’s started this season faster than ever before. On April 18 in Gainesville, she scorched the track with a 21.88 in the 200m—her second-fastest time ever, just shy of her 21.86 personal best from July last year. Her 100m performances this year? Equally dominant. A smooth 10.89 in Oslo on June 12 was followed just three days later by a blistering 10.75 (+0.9 m/s) in Stockholm—her second-best mark behind only the 10.72 that won her Olympic gold.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m Semi-Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 03, 2024. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia reacts after crossing the line in first place ahead of second placed Sha’Carri Richardson of United States. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
So when Julien arrived at the 50th Prefontaine Classic, all eyes were on her. She was the woman to beat—the favorite. And while she didn’t walk away with the win this time, her 10.77 seconds (-1.5 m/s) for second place in less-than-ideal wind conditions was still a performance worthy of a champion. So, in a field packed with elite sprinters, Julien Alfred continues to prove that she belongs at the top—and she’s only just getting started.
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