'I'm grateful to represent Saint Lucia always' - Julien Alfred acknowledges home support as a motivating factor in track success

Following the prestigious honour of being awarded the Best Female Athlete of Paris 2024 Olympics at the ANOC Awards, Julien Alfred has acknowledged the home support from her country, Saint Lucia, as a motivating factor in her track success.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Awards was organised to celebrate the outstanding achievements of NOCs, athletes, and distinguished members of the Olympic Family.

From recognizing exceptional performances to enjoying an evening of entertainment, Alfred was one of the winners on the night in recognition of her historic outing in Paris.

She became Saint Lucia's first Olympic gold medallist after winning the 100m final and added a 200m silver medal to cap off an outstanding debut at the Games.

In her acceptance speech, Alfred acknowledged the home support as a huge motivating factor in her track success this season, which crowned her the undisputed speed queen in the sprint.

"Most definitely. A celebration I was not expecting but I received a lot of love and support from my country Saint Lucia and I'm truly grateful to be able to represent Saint Lucia on the global stage," said Alfred in response to the homecoming reception she received back home after her 2024 season exploits.

The speedster's latest honour comes after winning big at the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards, celebrating Caribbean’s finest athletes, teams, and sports leaders. She was named the Caribbean Female Sports Personality of the Year and shared the Breakthrough Award with triple jumper Thea LaFond (Commonwealth of Dominica).

Alfred continues to be an inspiration for her nation, celebrating her every moment and wins as she continues to be a model for Saint Lucia's present generation and those unborn.