Saint Lucia: Julien Alfred receives national honour rarely given to athletes in recognition of her Olympic exploits

Julien Alfred

Saint Lucia: Julien Alfred receives national honour rarely given to athletes in recognition of her Olympic exploits

Funmilayo Fameso 18:56 - 26.09.2024

Olympic champion Julien Alfred received a national honour rarely occupied by the world's top athletes.

Saint Lucia's golden girl Julien Alfred received a huge honour in her country that's rarely given to athletes in recognition of her Olympic exploits.

The new speed queen has been making news headlines globally following the grand reception she received as her homecoming, which has seen her receive several honours and recognition for her historic feat in Paris.

Julien Alfred was welcomed to a heroic reception on return to Saint Lucia

Following her iconic breakout 2024 season, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre announced September 27 as “Julien Alfred Day” - a national holiday.

In addition to this, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority has announced Alfred as a Tourism Ambassador - a position that any top athlete currently has in their various countries.

Julien Alfred is Saint Lucia's new Tourism Ambassador

Alfred has made Saint Lucia a tourist destination since she comfortably bagged the 100m Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics, now making millions worldwide come to know about the tiny Caribbean country with a 180,000 population.

During the Olympic period, Saint Lucia became second only to the United States regarding online searches with her fame setting the trend quite high on Google searches.

Julien Alfred's Olympic exploits in Paris

Alfred became Saint Lucia's first Olympic champion in history after defeating pre-championship favorite Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100m final by blazing to the finish line in a new personal best of 10.72s.

Not resting on her oars, the 23-year-old claimed the silver medal in the 200m event behind Gabby Thomas, thus leaving Paris with two medals in her Olympic debut.

Julien Alfred became Saint Lucia's first Olympic champion in Paris

Aside from this, she blazed to the world 60m title at the world indoor championships in Glasgow to become her country's first-ever world champion in any sport and closed off her exceptional 2024 year by winning the Diamond League 100m title in Brussels.

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