Julien Alfred Arrives to a Hero's Welcome in Saint Lucia: A New National Holiday Declared
Julien Alfred arrives in St. Lucia for the first time following her Gold & Silver wins at the Paris Olympics (Photo Credit: St. Lucia Tourism Authority)
On Tuesday, double Olympic medallist Julien Alfred returned to Saint Lucia, where she was met with cheers and celebration at Hewanorra International Airport. Stepping off the plane to an emotional welcome, Alfred was greeted by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, government officials, and the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee. The homecoming was a tribute to Alfred’s stunning success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she captured gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters, making her the first athlete from Saint Lucia to ever win an Olympic medal.
Visibly moved, Alfred expressed her gratitude for the immense support she received throughout her journey. “I don’t want to get emotional, but today I really want to give thanks,” she told the crowd, recognizing her family, coach, and her village of Ciceron, where mentor Cuthbert ‘Twatiné’ Modeste had discovered her talent at a young age. She recalled how Modeste always believed in her, even when she was ready to give up. "He came back to look for me in Ciceron," she said before embracing him in a moment that captured the spirit of community and resilience.
In her heartfelt speech, Alfred reflected on her challenging journey to the top. “It was truly a rocky road. Many days I wanted to just give up,” she confessed. But her unwavering support system kept her going. “Thank you for everything you have done for me. I really appreciate it,” she added, drawing applause from the crowd.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre marked the occasion as a day of celebration and reflection. He called on Saint Lucians to come out in full force for the events celebrating Alfred’s monumental achievements, noting that her success transcends sports. “Julien’s recent achievements at the Olympic Games have been a source of inspiration to all Saint Lucians, especially our youth,” he said, underscoring the potential for global excellence that exists within the island’s shores.
Prime Minister of St.Lucia greets and walks with Julien Alfred
September 27 will be known as Julien Alfred Day in St. Lucia
In a surprise announcement, the Prime Minister declared that Friday, September 27 would officially be recognized as Julien Alfred Day. The decision to declare this national holiday came less than two days before its observance, highlighting the government’s desire to honor Alfred’s historic performance in Paris, where she won the 100 meters in a national record time of 10.72 seconds, along with a silver medal in the 200 meters. Before Alfred’s remarkable achievements, no Saint Lucian athlete had ever medaled at the Olympics.
Youth Development and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir added his voice to the celebration, expressing pride in Saint Lucia’s rich history and the symbolic significance of Alfred’s win. “Saint Lucia is the only nation named after a woman, and it is a woman that has taken us to the pinnacle of the entire globe,” Casimir said, calling Alfred a “kind, generous, and humble” ambassador for the nation.
Despite the short notice, the declaration of September 27 as a national holiday speaks to the profound impact Alfred’s record-setting performance has had on Saint Lucia. With Julien Alfred Day forever etched in Saint Lucia’s history, the island has another reason to celebrate—a moment that will inspire future generations to reach for greatness, just as Alfred has.
