Julien Alfred on why coach Flo is her ‘spine and rock’ after record-breaking 300m performance

Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia runs in the women™s 300m in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on February 2, 2025, at the TRACK at new balance in Boston, MA.

Julien Alfred on why coach Flo is her ‘spine and rock’ after record-breaking 300m performance

Festus Chuma 19:46 - 03.02.2025

Julien Alfred impressed when she dominated the 300m at the NB Indoor Grand Prix proving her coach’s strategy was spot on.

Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred has once again demonstrated why she is one of the most versatile sprinters in the world.

Transitioning from the shorter sprints to an unfamiliar distance, she shattered expectations and set a Saint Lucian national record in the 300m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

Despite being an indoor 60m champion last year, Alfred made a surprising move by entering the 300m instead of defending her title in the shorter sprint.

 Many track and field enthusiasts questioned the decision, but Alfred fully trusted her longtime coach, Edrick Floreal, whose vision for her development has consistently paid off.

“He has a plan. I’m just following his plan. Even though it hurts a lot, but I trust him and what he has for me,” Alfred said in a post-race interview with NBC.

That plan led her to an extraordinary victory. Alfred clocked an impressive 36.16 seconds, finishing well ahead of British star Dina Asher-Smith, who took second place in 36.87. Emma Montoya (38.37) and Bianca Stubler (39.33) rounded out the field, but Alfred was in a class of her own.

While some questioned why she moved up in distance, Alfred stayed committed to her coach’s vision.

 “I have to give thanks to my coach. I think he is my spine and my rock. He has been with me through the highs and the lows,” she shared. 

“After Worlds last year, I cried on his shoulder so much, and I just want to thank him for this, having my back throughout and the times where I felt like giving up on myself.”

Her reference to last year’s World Championships in Budapest, where she finished a painful fourth in the 100m final highlights how much she has endured. 

That setback only fueled her drive, ultimately leading her to a historic moment at the Stade de France, where she stunned pre-race favorite Sha’Carri Richardson to win the 100m title.

Since their partnership began in 2019, her growth has been undeniable. 

The Saint Lucian sprinter credits him for shaping her into one of the world’s elite runners, and her performances continue to justify his faith in her potential.

Alfred’s recent 300m success is another example of her willingness to push beyond comfort zones in pursuit of greatness. 

Running various distances, from the 60m to the 200m and now excelling in the 300m, she has proven she can adapt and dominate in different sprinting events.

The importance of her inner circle especially Coach Flo cannot be overstated.