Julien Alfred: St Lucia rolls the red carpet for first-ever Olympics medalist as four-day celebrations begin

Julien Alfred won Saint Lucia's first Olympic gold medal in history at the Paris Games

Julien Alfred: St Lucia rolls the red carpet for first-ever Olympics medalist as four-day celebrations begin

Joel Omotto 13:00 - 24.09.2024

Julien Alfred is set for a grand reception in St Lucia with the country putting together an elaborate four-day ceremony to celebrate her for winning the country’s first-ever Olympics medal.

Celebrations will begin in St Lucia on Tuesday in honour of Olympics 100m champion Julien Alfred who made history by winning the country’s first-ever Olympics medal.

Alfred will return home on Tuesday and there are plans to receive her at Hawanorra International Airport with a motorcade before more celebrations at schools in the island nation the following day before culminating on “Julien Alfred Day” on Friday September 27.

An elaborate programme for her return has been unveiled and it includes an official convoy of 40 authorised vehicles which will accompany Alfred, traveling ahead of the general public, who are also welcome to join the procession.

As per the St Lucia Times, this official convoy will include local, regional, and international media personnel along with crew members for a production that will be released globally.

Once the motorcade reaches Castries, only the 40 authorised vehicles will be permitted into the heart of Castries city.

Police will then direct the remainder of the procession to wait along nearby streets.

Once the 40 authorised vehicles leave the city, the public will rejoin the motorcade and continue into Gros Islet.

Alfred’s visit to Saint Lucia will include two national school rallies, the first at La Resource Playing Field on Wednesday morning and the second at the Soufriere Mini Stadium.

She will also visit the Ciceron Primary School on Thursday, where a mural unveiling will occur and officials will make announcements.

On Friday, September 27, a national holiday already stamped “Julien Alfred Day”, a free concert will be held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, named after St Lucia’s biggest cricket star and former World Cup-winning captain of the West Indies cricket team.

The 23-year-old clocked a national record 10.27 seconds to win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics ahead of American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, who managed 10.87 for silver, and her US compatriot Melissa Jefferson, who timed 10.92, for bronze.

Alfred later won Olympics silver in the 200m behind American Gabby Thomas and completed a remarkable season by clinching the Diamond League title in 100m at the season finale in Brussels this month.

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