Olympics 100m gold medalist Julien Alfred is set to receive a well-deserved reward for her historic achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
After a groundbreaking season that saw the St. Lucian sprinter bring home her country’s first-ever Olympic medals—gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m—Alfred will soon enjoy a week-long stay at one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious resorts.
Alfred, who captured the hearts of St. Lucians and sprinting fans worldwide, will take a break from the track to recharge at a high-end, all-inclusive property, courtesy of Sandals Resorts International.
While the specific resort has yet to be publicly revealed, it is one of the region’s premier vacation destinations, offering stunning beaches, world-class amenities, and unmatched Caribbean hospitality.
Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, expressed his excitement at the opportunity to honor Caribbean athletes who performed remarkably at the Paris Games.
“The Olympic Games are always a special time for us here in the Caribbean. Our athletes are incredibly talented, and we are thrilled to witness their wins and record-making performances,” Stewart said as quoted by St Vincent Times.
“On behalf of our entire Sandals family, we excitedly celebrate with our Olympic medalists and look forward to hosting them for a relaxing vacation at Sandals,” he added.
Julien Alfred isn not the only Olympian receiving this luxurious honor.
Alongside her, Jamaican stars such as Roje Stona, who earned gold in the men’s discus, and Kishane Thompson, the men’s 100m silver medalist, will also enjoy complimentary stays at Sandals properties.
Other Caribbean champions, including Grenada’s decathlete Lindon Victor and javelin thrower Anderson Peters, will join them for this lavish retreat.
Before Alfred heads to her holiday destination, her homecoming celebration in Saint Lucia will mark one of the most anticipated events of the year.
A grand program has been designed by the government of Saint Lucia to honor the 23-year-old athlete, who has etched her name in the island’s history books.
Alfred’s arrival at Hewanorra International Airport on September 24 will kickstart the celebrations, with a motorcade rally scheduled to take her from the airport to Gros Islet. Thousands of fans and well-wishers are expected to line the streets to greet their national hero.
September 25 will see rallies hosted at various schools in Soufriere and Dennery, where Alfred will be celebrated by students and community members.
A highlight of the festivities will be the unveiling of an iconic mural at Ciceron Primary School on September 26, immortalizing her triumphs for future generations to admire.
The celebrations will culminate on September 27 with a grand National Concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, featuring performances by top regional artists.
In honor of her extraordinary achievements, the government has declared September 27, 2024, as “Julien Alfred Day,” with the added announcement of a public holiday to allow the entire nation to participate in the festivities
Alfred’s performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics are nothing short of historic.
Making her Olympic debut, she shattered expectations, not only bringing home Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medals but also setting new national records in the process.
Her dazzling sprint in the 100m final, where she edged out world-class competitors, cemented her place among the world’s elite sprinters.
Following the Olympic Games, Alfred continued her stellar season by competing at the Zurich Diamond League on September 5, facing formidable opponents such as Sha’Carri Richardson, Tia Clayton, and Daryll Neita.
The season will wrap up with the Brussels meet on September 13-14, where she is set to face Richardson once again.
