The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) on Wednesday recognised Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred as the Best Female Athlete Of Paris 2024.
The 23-year-old Olympic 100m gold medallist and 200m silver medallist was presented during the 2024 ANOC Awards, held in Cascais, Portugal.
“This award means a lot to me. It really shows that all the heart and sacrifice I had to put into this challenge was for a reason. I receive this award hoping that it can inspire an entire nation and the youth of my country and be able to show that sacrifice is necessary to be able to get where you want to go. This year showed me what you can do if you believe in yourself, if you believe in your coach and in God. I am very happy for this award and I dedicate it to my entire country,” said the athlete from Saint Lucia after receiving the award.
Alfred, one of the standout performers at the Stade de France in August, received her latest trophy from Neven Ilic, president of the Pan American Sports Organisation and vice-president of ANOC, accompanied by Brazil’s Isabel Swan, and Olympian and member of the ANOC Athletes’ Commission.
In addition to her two Olympic medals, Alfred also won the 60m at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and multiple collegiate champion also won the 100m at the Wanda Diamond League final in September. But she’s not stopped winning, even whilst taking a break from the track.
The University of Texas graduate was named CANOC Female Sports Personality Of The Year earlier this month in the Turks & Caicos Islands. She is also in the running for World Athletics Track Athlete Of The Year.
The ANOC Awards was held for the first time in Bangkok in 2014 and has been held every year since then.
The event was created in order to recognise and honour the achievements of the NOCs and their athletes as well as distinguished members of the Olympic Family. The event is an opportunity for the world’s National Olympic Committees (NOC’s) come together in a relaxed and entertaining environment and enjoy an evening celebrating sport.
Men’s 200m champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana was rewarded as Best Male Athlete Of Paris 2024. His team also took silver in the men’s 4x400m relay.
