SPRINT STAR Julien Alfred has given St. Lucia and St. Lucians what she said she would; the first Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres. And then, she has the whole world searching for the little island called St. Lucia on the map.
Obtaining an Olympic gold medal requires goal setting, planning and implementation, prefaced with discipline. Julien Alfred knew that only too well.
Very early in her Primary School days she knew she wanted to be a professional athlete. And her class teachers recognized that desire which was reflected in her behaviour. Indeed, trained teachers would see certain behaviours that the untrained would not normally see.
Julien Alfred comes from the community of Ciceron where she nurtured a humble temperament. Indeed, the community of Ciceron has the potential for nurturing very humble people.
About fifty years ago, while attending the then St. Lucia Teachers’ Training College, I had to do a child study as part of the programme in Teacher Education. I took a little boy who lived not very far away from the school. The child reflected such humility that it was amazing. I followed him to his home where I met his mother, and again, there was an outpouring of humbleness. I have never forgotten that child!
Indeed, Julien Alfred is a very patriotic daughter of St. Lucia. During her athletic exploits, she constantly speaks about her native people. She would say during her interviews that “I know my people are watching and supporting me “. Indeed, she received support from her parents, coaches, the government and the corporate community. In fact, 1st National Bank embraced her and provided the support that the local bank was able to give.
Very early, Julien set herself some goals. Now goal-setting is the process of taking active steps to achieve your desired outcome. The psychologist Dr. Edwin A. Locke in 1968 stated that clear, well-defined, and measurable goals improve performance much more than vague objectives.
Now when one sets himself or herself a goal, he or she begins to think about the things he or she wants to accomplish. He or she becomes a dreamer. Now it is when he or she actually needs to make some progress or rally the teams that the real sweat and hard work begins.
Indeed, many times when we saw Julien Alfred, she was working towards her goal; constantly training and developing a mental discipline.
Now Julien Alfred has become a star athlete! Winning the Olympic 100 metres gold medal followed by her clinching of the 200 metres Olympic silver medal, means that she has provided motivation for the young people of her beloved country, St. Lucia, and the young people of the world generally. Julien has opened the gateway for the young people to improve their performance not just in sports, but in all disciplines in which they engage themselves. In education, this is referred to as Achievement Motivation.
This is the first time that a St. Lucian athlete has won a Olympic gold and silver medal. And indeed, that is very instructive.
Now there was collective celebration. St. Lucians at home and in the diaspora was following and supporting ‘their’ Julien Alfred. There were four organized viewing points in St. Lucia, to watch the sprinter bring home the Olympic gold. My grand children in Texas were watching; other relatives in Texas were watching. My cousin in Louisiana called me soon after the race. There was real jubilation!
St. Lucia will receive more focus from the world. We have two Nobel laurates and now, an Olympic star. Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Dereck Walcott received commensurate recognition. And Julien Alfred will receive the recognition that she rightly deserves.
The government of St. Lucia has developed the Mantra: “Putting People First”, and I have no doubt that they would do all that is necessary to recognize and award her outstanding performance. I am sure that the Philip J. Pierre led administration, is currently planning various ways of recognizing and awarding our Sprint Star, Julien Alfred.
As an educator, I know deep within the psyche of our children, that they want to be like Julien Alfred; our JuJu.
Now even during her exploits, she could be working with the Ministries of Sports, Education, and Community development. Now I will not attempt o suggest ways in which the government can utilise the knowledge and skills of Julien Alfred because they know quite well what needs to be done.
St. Lucians are a very supportive people. When it comes to throwing their support behind a fellow St. Lucia or group of St. Lucians, they do it like no other in the world.
Indeed, the benefits of the stardom of Julien Alfred will be of tremendous benefits to St. Lucia. It will surely bolster the Tourism Industry and by extension, the economic situation of St. Lucia, among several others.
Now, I am sure, that the “Coming Home Ceremony” for Julien Alfred and the other members of the team will be something that we have never seen in St. Lucia before.
I am looking forward to their home-coming, as well as all St. Lucians at home and in the diaspora.
Gold – on our tiny, tiny budget what a great day for our people .