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St Lucia's Julien Alfred credits her rise in sprinting to her mother's unwavering support through numerous personal and professional challenges.
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred has become a household name in the world of athletics but behind her meteoric rise is the unwavering support of her mother.
The young sprinter from St. Lucia has not only shattered records but also broken barriers, making history as her country's first Olympic medalist in athletics.
Born in the Ciceron community of Castries, St. Lucia, Alfred grew up in challenging circumstances.
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From a young age, she exhibited a natural talent for sprinting, which her parents were quick to recognize as a potential pathway to a better life.
The early death of her father was a devastating blow to the family, but it was her mother's strength that kept Alfred's dream alive.
"On the day my mum left me [in Jamaica] I cried so much,” Alfred shared with The Times.
“I was without my family and friends and was thinking I should go back. I stayed with a family but it was hard to adapt to a new culture. I didn’t understand the lingo and I couldn’t go home for Christmas because we had December camps. I wanted to give up, but kept pushing because I knew something good would come out of it.”
Alfred's mother made the difficult decision to send her daughter to Jamaica, a hub for sprinting talent, believing that the exposure to a more competitive environment would hone her daughter's abilities.
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This move was propelled by the family's admiration for Jamaican sprint legends like Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who Alfred aspired to emulate.
Training in Jamaica exposed Alfred to rigorous routines and competitive standards not available in St. Lucia.
The transition was challenging, and Alfred often found herself homesick and isolated, struggling to adapt to her new surroundings.
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Despite these hurdles, Alfred's mother remained her pillar of support, constantly encouraging her from miles away.
"I didn’t want to run anymore," she recalled.
It was during these moments of doubt that her mother's words would resonate with her, reminding her of the possibilities that lay ahead.
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Her mother's belief in her potential was a constant source of motivation, pushing her to excel despite the odds.
Reflecting on her achievements, Alfred credits her mother's sacrifices and foresight for much of her success.
"She saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself yet," Alfred remarked.
The emotional support coupled with her mother's pragmatic decisions, were instrumental in transforming a young girl from St. Lucia into an international sprinting sensation.
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