Saint Lucia’s sports heroine and sprint sensation Julien Alfred has earned a nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.
As a World and Olympic champion, she stands as one of six Paris 2024 gold medallists recognised among this elite group. For the past quarter-century, the Laureus Awards have celebrated excellence in international sport.
Alfred, alongside fellow sprint champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, is nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. At just 23 years old, she achieved a historic milestone for Saint Lucia, capturing the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
Tebogo mirrored this achievement by winning Botswana’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 200m sprint. Throughout 2024, Alfred has charted new territory for Saint Lucia, clinching gold in the women’s 60m dash at the World Indoor Championships and securing the Wanda Diamond League 100m crown, solidifying her status as one of the fastest women in history.
Facing stiff competition, Alfred and Tebogo are up against notable athletes, including French basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama, Spanish football talent Lamine Yamal, Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, and the Bayer 04 Leverkusen men’s football team.
In the running for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award are Olympic marathon winner Sifan Hassan, three-time 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, and 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, alongside gymnastics icon Simone Biles, football star Aitana Bonmati, and tennis Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Mondo Duplantis, who claimed a second Olympic pole vault gold and set new world records, is nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, facing competition from tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz, swimming star Leon Marchand, cycling champion Tadej Pogacar, and Formula 1 powerhouse Max Verstappen.
The prestigious awards ceremony will take place on April 21st in Madrid, Spain, marking the 25th anniversary of this esteemed celebration of sports excellence.