The Government of St Lucia has declared September 27 a National Holiday to honor Olympian Julien Alfred.
Alfred created history for the country when she won gold in the 100-m and silver in the 200-m at the just-concluded Olympic Games in Paris.
She is expected to return to her home country on September 24 for the first time since her historic feat and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre told a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday that a number of activities have been planned to honor her.
A motorcade along the east coast of St Lucia is expected to take place when Alfred arrives home on September 24.
On the 25, national school rallies will be held at the Soufriere Mini Stadium and La Resource Playing Field.
On the 26, the Olympian will visit the Cicero Primary School where a mural will be unveiled and “massive announcements” will be made concerning her.
On the 27, a national holiday will be held and there will be a free concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds beginning at 4 pm.
Many have been making comparisons to how Dominica treated its own Olympian, Thea Lafond-Gadson, who was honored with a diplomatic passport, $400,000 and a parcel of land in Warner. The Government of Dominica has also promised to name a yet-to-be-built all purpose synthetic track after her. This after she won gold in the triple jump at the Paris games.
Deputy Prime Minister of St Lucia and Chair of the Home Coming Committee, Dr Ernest Hilaire, said honoring Alfred will be equally significant.
“Julien is getting here on September 24. She’ll be here for about three or four days,” he said in late August. “We will plan a very comprehensive program for her and make sure that she gets a welcome and recognition fitting of an Olympic Champion and the fastest woman in the world.”
There are reports that Alfred will also be given a “prestigious” piece of land on the north of St Lucia in a “prime area known for its stunning coastal views and high real estate value” by the government and cash perks.
Congratulations to the young lady. Quite an inspiration for others. Wishing her continued success.
That’s like the old nursery rhyme we use to sing as kids “Rain, rain go away
Come again another day.
Rain, rain go away
Little Johnny wants to play.”
Boy, SLU is under a lot of bad weather due to their bad CBI/ CPI decisions so the pm needs a break from all that pressure so …but Mr PM you can’t get rid of the storm by declaring a holiday even if it’s for a very worthwhile cause
@CU soon. Do you know what the heck you’re talking about? Where did you get your information from?
Guess she will get $US1 000 000.00 and other benefits exceeding that????
She deserves it. She is inspirational, young, extremely strong and she is a deserving role model.
Hope our young Dominican female athlete attending Edwin Alleyne high school in Jamaica reads about Julian Alfred (who also attended St Cathrine High School in Jamaica), and gains some real motivation from her olympic triumph, and will be motivated to do the same.
Well done young lady!
Well done St Lucia!
She deserves everything that she will get!
Wow! This is giving you your flowers while you are living. Well deserved!
And a motorcade we get.. smh