The eyes of the athletics world will be on Olympic women’s 100m gold medallist and 200m silver medallist Julien Alfred this weekend as the Saint Lucian sprint star makes her highly anticipated season debut in the half-lap event.
The 23-year-old from Ciceron is confirmed to compete in the 200m at Friday’s Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, her first outing in the distance this year.
Alfred arrives fresh off a dominant 300m performance less than two weeks ago when she set a national record of 36.05 seconds and stunned Jamaican world champion Shericka Jackson at the Miramar Invitational. Now, she returns to the Percy Beard Track at the University of Florida’s James G. Pressly Stadium, a venue that holds special significance – it’s where she first dipped under 22 seconds two years ago.
The PUMA athlete faces fierce competition in her 200m opener, including former University of Texas teammate Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland, British sprinters Daryll Neita and Victoria Ohuruogu, Americans Tamari Davis and Christina Clemons, and a strong Jamaican contingent featuring Niesha Burgher, Nickisha Pryce, Alana Reid and Stacey Ann Williams. Also in the mix is Renee Regis, a British competitor of Saint Lucian heritage.
Alfred will aim to break 22 seconds for just the fourth time in her career. She achieved the milestone twice last season, but her breakthrough came at this very track in 2023 with a then-world-leading 21.91, still her second-fastest time. That same weekend, she blazed a wind-aided 10.72 in the 100m, showcasing her explosiveness.
So far in 2024, no woman has cracked 22 seconds in the 200m. India Mayberry holds the indoor world lead of 22.30, while Madison Whyte tops the outdoor rankings with 22.32. Burgher’s season best sits at 22.39.
A sub-22 performance from Alfred, potentially a new national record or world lead, would send a resounding message about her speed endurance work.
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