Olympic champion Julien Alfred has taken up a new role. The sprinter from Saint Lucia is on a week-long visit to London in the capacity of Saint Lucia's Tourism Ambassador. This came after her exploits at the Paris Olympics 2024.
For her outstanding performance at the Olympics, Alfred was rewarded handsomely by the government of Saint Lucia. Apart from a public holiday in her honor, the sprinter was named the Tourism Ambassador by the end of September. Alfred uploaded a few photographs of her visit to London on Instagram with the caption:
"In London for my duties as Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador but I had to see the place first ! 🇱🇨🇬🇧"
In the first picture, Alfred can be seen taking a selfie at the London Eye. The second photograph is her posing at the same destination. The next photograph is of the 23-year-old standing on the steps of the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral. The final two photographs are from the Saint Lucian's visit to the Buckingham Palace.
Julien Alfred was accompanied by British sprinter Imani-Lara Lansiquot, who has her ancestral roots linked to Saint Lucia. Lansiquot won a silver medal for Great Britain in the women's 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics.
Julien Alfred on losing to Gabby Thomas at the Paris Olympics
Julien Alfred scripted history in her maiden appearance at the Olympic Games this year. The sprinter won the women's 100m, with a new national record of 10.72 seconds. This victory was historic since it was Saint Lucia's first-ever Olympic medal at the quadrennial games.
In the finals of the women's 200m event, her American counterpart Gabby Thomas edged her out to win the gold medal with a timing of 21.83 seconds. In an interview with Sportsmax TV, Alfred weighed in on her loss in the finals.
"I think my mentality going to the [200m] final wasn't the same. So I'm really going to just try to change, and then I was just overthinking the final, like trying to think of each phase, and it was a lot happening. I should have just run it all out, and if Gabby catches me then so be," Alfred said.
Alfred further mentioned that she has a lot more to achieve and that her career has only begun.
"I don’t feel like I’ve made it yet. There are accolades that I still want in my life and my career. Yes, I accomplished an Olympic gold, World Indoors, Diamond League final winner but I don’t have accolades in the World Championships outdoors yet," Alfred added.
Julien Alfred ended her 2024 season on a high when she won the women's 100m at the Wanda Diamond League Finals. She rewrote history by becoming the first athlete from Saint Lucia to achieve this honor.