"We both cried on the phone"- Julien Alfred opens up on emotional conversation with coach after struggling mentally before the Paris Olympics 

By Adityan Pillai

Modified Nov 07, 2024 00:39 GMT

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Olympic champion Julien Alfred spoke about struggling mentally before the commencement of the quadrennial games in Paris. Alfred revealed that she did not want to continue the season leading up to the Olympics in early 2024 and even informed her agent to cancel all her meets.

Furthermore, she gained weight during that time and faced mental struggles and self-doubt. However, her coach, Edrick Floréal, motivated her and made her believe that she was capable of competing on the global stage like the Olympics.

Julien Alfred opened up about her conversation with her coach while she was struggling with self-doubt and quitting in an interview with BBC's Women's Hour. The Paris Olympic gold medalist revealed how her coach was her constant support during the tough time and worked with her to develop that self-belief as well as return to the track with the quadrennial games in foresight.

Speaking about her struggles as well as the emotional conversation with her coach she said:

"Earlier in the season, I had a breakdown, I was completely out of it. I told my coach I didn't want to continue the season. I told my agent to cancel my meets because I just didn't want to continue, I was just so hard on myself. I was overweight as well. Struggling mentally and just feeling like I couldn't go on. But my coach, he worked with me, he took me off the track for a little bit, and we had a long conversation, we both cried on the phone and the last thing that he said to me was 'Are you ready to be an Olympic Champion?'"

Julien Alfred on winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics

Julien Alfred at the Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 8 - Source: Getty

Julien Alfred won the gold medal in the women's 100m after putting forward an incredible performance by defeating top athletes like Sha'Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson among others to win the ultimate crown. She etched her name in the history books by becoming the first athlete from her country to win the gold medal at the Olympics.

She took to Instagram to express her thoughts on winning her first Olympic gold medal.

"DREAMS DO COME TRUE! 🇱🇨Winning GOLD in the 100m in Paris is still surreal. The journey has been long, winding, and demanding, but every sacrifice, every tear, and every early morning was worth it. I’m humbled and grateful for God’s grace and mercy.," she wrote.

Furthermore, she thanked her coaches, family, and the people of Saint Lucia for their unwavering support throughout the Paris Olympics.