A String of Nervous Energy
The D-day arrived. Julien was up very early. A string of nervous energy flowing through her. The big stage which she had so desired all these years was there for the taking. She picked up her Journal and wrote something, in an attempt to motivate herself. She saw a few clips of her idol Usain Bolt for inspiration and refocused on the job at hand. Her time had arrived she felt deep inside. It was the Women’s 100 m Final at the just concluded Paris Olympics.
A Barefoot Sprinter
Julien Alfred hailed from St.Lucia, a small island country in the Caribbean . Running barefoot to school, Julien was beating the boys of her age and no wonder she caught people’s attention. Julien began serious sprinting at school fully backed by her father who wanted to see her exceptional child become an Olympic Champion. However, when aged 12, tragedy struck and Julien lost her father. The blow was so severe that Julien stopped sprinting altogether. After a gap of 2 years, Julien gathered herself and set out to accomplish her father’s dream.
Julien’s Grit to the Fore
She moved to Jamaica to test her calibre, rediscovering her love for the sport. Even though she was carrying her father’s shared vision, she had to do it alone and Julien was not looking back. She got a scholarship to study in Texas in America. The hard-working Julien left no stone unturned and made full use of the best training available in the world for talented aspiring athletes. Her coach Eldrick Floreal too played a decisive role in shaping Julien for the big events. Though Julien had an unsuccessful World Championship, her grit came to the fore when she reached the shores of Paris.
Julien Beats Sha’Carri, Wins Gold
It had been raining in Paris that evening, as the athletes took their positions for the race. Julien burst out from the blocks racing past pre-race favourite Sha’Carri Richardson, virtually flying through to the finish line with incredible ease, leaving the entire pack behind. The words she wrote in her journal had turned into reality on the rain-soaked purple track at the Stade de France. Julien Alfred had won the first medal and that too a gold for her country St.Lucia in the history of the Olympic Games. A stunned crowd watched in awe as Julien pulled out her bib to flash her name aloft. The initial goosebumps were followed by massive applause from the spectators. Julien had clocked 10.72 sec and had ran the 8th fastest 100m of all times.
Realising Her Father’s Vision
A teary Julien, a girl from humble backgrounds had realised her father’s vision and dream and in doing so brought great joy to her country too. She had created history. All the years and years of perseverance and effort had eventually bore fruit. From being a young girl running barefoot to setting the tracks on fire in Paris, Julien Alfred is the latest sensation in athletics and a source of inspiration to the world.
How true she wrote “ Julien Alfred, Olympic Champion “.
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Featured Image : Julien Alfred / pic coutesy Latestly.com