Julien Alfred, the Olympic 100m champion from Saint Lucia, will open her outdoor season on April 5 at the Miramar Invitational. Not defending her World Indoor 60m title, she has set national records in the 300m and 400m while focusing on speed endurance. Community support is strong as Alfred prepares for this Silver event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, with further competitions scheduled in June and September.
Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred is poised to commence her outdoor season on April 5, marking the beginning of her journey toward the much-anticipated Tokyo 2025 Olympics. As the reigning Olympic 100m champion, she will headline the fourth edition of the Miramar Invitational, as per the announcement from TC Management, the meet organizers.
This season, Alfred has chosen not to defend her World Indoor 60m title, opting instead to concentrate on developing her speed endurance. She has established national records for Saint Lucia in both the 300m and 400m events. Last year, she made history by winning Saint Lucia’s inaugural Olympic gold medal in the women’s 100m and secured a silver in the 200m. According to her coach Edrick Floreal, the current training regimen is designed to enhance her performance in the half-lap event.
The Ansin Sports Complex, renowned for its rapid track, is set to host the invitational. In 2023, the venue witnessed USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson sprinting to a remarkable time of 10.57 seconds, aided by a strong wind exceeding four meters per second. Meanwhile, Abby Steiner achieved a world-leading time of 22.23 seconds in the 200m event. Currently, it remains unclear which specific event Alfred will partake in, but the Saint Lucian community is eagerly preparing to provide their full support.
The Saint Lucia Association of South Florida has passionately expressed excitement for Alfred’s performance, encouraging spectators to “bring the heat and make some noise” on the track. They invite supporters to wear their national colors and rally behind Alfred to showcase Saint Lucian pride. The anticipated event promises to electrify the atmosphere with cheers for their champion.
The 2025 Miramar Invitational is classified as a Silver event within the World Athletics Continental Tour. Following this event, Alfred plans to compete at the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 12, and subsequently at the Bauhaus Galan in Stockholm on June 15, leading up to the World Championships scheduled for September.
In conclusion, Julien Alfred’s outdoor season opener on April 5 represents a significant step on her path towards the Tokyo 2025 Olympics. With a focus on speed endurance and support from the Saint Lucian community, she is well-prepared for the forthcoming challenges. Her participation in major events like the Miramar Invitational highlights her elite status in track and field as she aims for continued success on the world stage.
Original Source: stluciatimes.com
