Julien Alfred, unbeaten in three outdoor races this season, will compete in the women’s 100m at the 2026 Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, on her birthday, Wednesday, June 10. This will be her second appearance at the Wanda Diamond League, following her 200m victory last week in Rome.
Alfred, who turns 25 on race day, opened the outdoor season a month ago with a run of 10.93 seconds in rainy conditions in Texas. She currently has the 10th-fastest time of the year.
The Saint Lucian Olympic 100m champion is the defending champion in Oslo. Last year at the Bislett Stadium, she clocked 10.89 for the win.
Last year in Oslo, Alfred met world record holder and multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt for the first time. She has often cited the Jamaican athlete as a major influence and described meeting him as a significant moment.
“That was probably one of the best birthday gifts I could have gotten,” she gushed. “I’m still thinking about that day! And just being here again… I can just remember my first time meeting him, but it was amazing last year. I’m looking forward to what this year brings… I think that it was just amazing, and you know, I’ll cherish that moment forever.”
Alfred now holds several world medals, including 100m gold and 200m silver in Paris, 100m silver at Tokyo 2025, and gold and silver in the 60m at World Indoors. Although widely regarded as a 100m specialist, she has recently embraced the 200m event.
“In college, definitely, I preferred the 100. However, I think after doing the 400 last year, the 300s as well, and multiple 200s, I would say it definitely helped my 100, especially the last part,” she explained.
“But I’m not solely focused on just the 100; I’m actually enjoying the 200 now. As compared to college, I honestly hated running the 200! But I would do it for my team, for points as well, and because my coach felt I was really good at it. I think it’s just a matter of trusting myself and going out there and, you know, just having fun in the 200. But I love the 100.”
The Commonwealth Games remain one event where Alfred has not yet won a gold medal. She has expressed her intention to compete at Glasgow 2026 from late July to early August, but as of Tuesday, with six weeks remaining, she indicated some uncertainty about her participation.
“It’s on the schedule, but it’s really up in the air right now,” she admitted. “I think it really depends on just how my body feels and just what my team decides at the time.”
The women’s 100m at the Oslo Diamond League meeting is scheduled to begin just after 3 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time on Wednesday.
