Julien Alfred, the talented sprinter from Saint Lucia, recently shared insights on her victory over American star Sha’Carri Richardson and reflected on her missed opportunity to claim 200m Olympic gold. In a candid interview, Alfred spoke about the discipline and mindset that fueled her 100m triumph over Richardson, one of the world’s most celebrated sprinters, and how a mix of pressure and personal challenges impacted her performance in the 200m event.
Alfred’s win over Richardson, known for her explosive speed and vibrant personality, was widely celebrated. She credits her victory to rigorous training, mental resilience, and focusing on her strengths. “It’s about staying in your lane—literally and figuratively,” Alfred shared. “I’ve trained hard to understand my competition, but I don’t let their reputation dictate my performance. My goal is to run my best race each time.” Alfred’s disciplined approach paid off, as her calm, steady determination helped her edge out Richardson in the high-stakes race.
However, despite her success in the 100m, Alfred was unable to capture the gold medal in the 200m at the Olympics. Reflecting on this setback, she admitted that the pressure of expectations, combined with fatigue, played a role in her performance. “I was drained, both mentally and physically,” she said. “The Olympics bring a unique level of pressure, and I was disappointed I couldn’t bring my best to the 200m.”
Despite the loss, Alfred remains optimistic about her future and is determined to improve her 200m performance. With her strong mindset and relentless training regimen, she aims to return stronger, more focused, and ready to take on the world’s best in upcoming competitions.
