Just a week after Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ended her winning streak in Eugene, Saint Lucian sprint star Julien Alfred bounced back in style. At the Monaco Diamond League on July 11, 2025, she delivered a stunning 10.79-second win in the women’s 100m, despite a challenging 1.4 m/s headwind. The victory, which seemed to be a cakewalk for Alfred, marks another highlight in what has been a promising season for the Olympic gold medalist. But it hadn’t been an easy week. Alfred was still working through a rough patch, both physically and mentally. So, what helped her steady the ship? The return of someone who’s been in her corner from the very beginning.
Alfred, who crossed the finish line ahead of Jacious Sears (11.02s) of the USA and Zoe Hobbs (11.12s) of New Zealand, stood tall on the Monaco track, her yellow uniform emblazoned with “MONACO ALFRED” reflecting her dominance. However, the 24-year-old revealed that the road to this victory was not without hurdles. What really was transpiring behind the veil?
Well, speaking after the race, Alfred opened up about a difficult week leading up to the event. “The season is going good so far. That last week was not the best for me, but it also showed me that I am not where I should be and that there are things that I still need to work on,” she said, referring to her second-place show in the Prefontaine Classic last week. Despite the setbacks, the Saint Lucian sprinter turned the experience into motivation. “The season is long, but I don’t have any trials, so I will have time to work on the details.”
Credits- IMAGO
Adopting a resilient mindset, Alfred emphasized her focus on self-improvement over external pressures. “I took a step back and realized that I won’t push any pressure on myself this year. I was listening to all that outside noise, but I focus on just Julien right now,” she added, highlighting her determination to stay grounded. So what’s the reason behind her such compelling personality?
Well, a key factor in Alfred’s success was the presence of her long-time coach, who traveled with her to Monaco, a contrast to her experience at the 2023 World Championships. “I didn’t have my coach with me at the World Championships in 2023, but he is going to travel with me to Tokyo. My coach is training me since I was 17. Now I am 24 and it has been a long time,” she shared.
Alfred’s bond with her coach goes beyond the track. “He knows me inside and outside like as my dad. He is also my mental coach, someone I can always talk to. He knows me the best. He knows the way I feel, the way I move, and he is really nice and beautiful coach with whom I have a great relationship with. He is a great mentor,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
This deep connection has clearly played a pivotal role in her ability to rebound and perform under pressure, especially with the upcoming Tokyo event on the horizon. Meanwhile, Alfred has had quite a season so far.
Julien Alfred’s 2025 season keeps the calm force of sprinting building
When Julien Alfred opened her 2025 season with a 36.16s indoor 300m in Boston, it wasn’t just another race—it was a statement. The Saint Lucian sprinter set a national record straight out of the blocks, and there was a quiet fire in how she did it. That same momentum rolled into April, where she shaved the mark down to 36.05s at the Miramar Invitational, taking down a seasoned Shericka Jackson in the process.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 03, 2024. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia celebrates with her national flag after winning gold. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
But it was her 200m at the Tom Jones Memorial on April 18 that reminded everyone just how dangerous she can be. Clocking 21.88s with a +0.2 wind, Alfred missed her personal best by just two hundredths. “It’s a process, and I’m feeling good about where I’m at,” she said then. How did that translate to Europe?
Well, when Alfred opened her Diamond League 100m season in Oslo on June 12 with a 10.89s win—into a headwind—she called herself “rusty.” That didn’t last. Just three days later in Stockholm, she blasted a 10.75, breaking a 31-year-old meet record. But in Eugene on July 5, she finally met resistance. Facing Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Alfred was edged into second.
So now the question looms—was that a stumble or the setup for a perfect peak come Worlds?
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