Olympic 100-meter women’s champion Julien Alfred on Tuesday stepped off an aircraft bringing her home to St. Lucia for the first time in nearly a decade as the island starts almost a week of celebrations for the 23-year-old who whipped a star-studded field at the recent Paris Olympics to win the gold medal and keep that title in the Caribbean. She also won a silver in the 200 meters.

Dressed in the national colors of blue with the two medals dangling around her neck, she was met by a huge delegation led by Prime Minister Phillip Pierre, her parents and other well wishers, former members of her early club, The Survivors and a host of other cheering supporters.

She was later taken to the city from the main Hewanorra Airport by motorcade, escorted by armed police and soldiers as the motorcade snaked its way through the hills and valleys in the south to the capital, Castries, 33 miles away. Thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the national heroine as she sat atop an open convertible, waving, smiling, wiping back tears and signing autographs whenever the motorcade stopped or slowed down in traffic.

But before then, she had thanked almost everyone who had played a part in her success, including successive governments which, she said, had helped her to smoothly convert from an amateur at university in Texas to the professional athlete that she now is with resounding success.

“I don’t want to get emotional, but today I really want to give thanks,” said Alfred to resounding applause. “So many people have guided me and helped me to get to this point and really just want to say thank you to all of you, even those I haven’t mentioned. I just want to say thank you. I have dreamt of this day for such a long time – just being an inspiration to the youth of Saint Lucia, wanting to give back and wanting to inspire them so we can have many more Levern Spencers and many more Daren Sammys and many more like myself.”

Apart from the big motorcade and the welcome ceremony in Castries on Tuesday, Ms. Alfred will attend a rally at the La Resource Playing Field on Wednesday, while showing up at another at the Soufriere Mini Stadium later in the day. On Thursday, she will be at her former Ciceron Primary School for the unveiling of a mural in her honor.

The big celebrations are, however, set for the Julien Alfred national holiday on Friday when a national concert will be held at the Darren Sammy Stadium. PM Pierre has promised to unveil a package of gifts and assistance to her to ensure she is ready for future competitions and the 2028 Olympics in the US.

“Julien’s recent achievements at the Olympic Games transcend sports. They have been a source of inspiration to all Saint Lucians, especially our youth, “he said. We can be as good as any or even better,” he said, noting that her achievements will rekindle” love the land that gave us birth.”

Like so many other Caribbean athletes who went to Paris, the champion spoke of the tough times she had endured but is now grateful that she had persevered. “It was truly a rocky road. Many days I wanted to just give up, throw in the towel and just say, ‘I’m done’. But my village, those people who were around me, I just want to say thank you for everything you have done for me. I really appreciate it.” end/bw