Julien Alfred Storms to 21.86 World Lead and 10.93 Double in Texas Season Opener

Julien Alfred launched her 2026 season in spectacular style, delivering a dominant sprint double at the Texas Invitational (April 30–May 1), highlighted by a world-leading 21.86 seconds in the women’s 200m.

Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic champion—gold medallist in the 100m and silver medallist in the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics—was in a class of her own as she powered to victory, finishing well clear of American Elise Cooper (22.67) and Jamaica’s Carleta Bernard (22.86). Her 21.86 improved on the previous world lead of 21.89 set by Gabrielle Thomas at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi just a week earlier.

Alfred carried that momentum into the 100m on May 1, clocking a wind-legal 10.93 to secure another commanding win and the fifth-fastest time in the world this season. Once again, she separated herself decisively from the field, with Bernard—competing for the University of Texas—best of the rest in 11.34, while Abigail Wolfe placed third in 11.42.

Remarkably, the performances came in Alfred’s season debut. While her 10.93 was 0.04 slower than her 2025 opener—run later in June—it marks a significantly stronger early-season showing compared to 2024, where she opened nearly a quarter of a second slower at a similar point in the year.

The statement double in Texas confirms Alfred’s exceptional early form and signals that the Saint Lucian sprint star is already setting the pace globally as the 2026 season begins.

• SEE TEXAS INVITATIONAL RESULTS HERE

Women's 200m Results:

1. Julien Alfred (PUMA) – 21.86 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
2. Elise Cooper (Texas) – 22.67 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
3. Carleta Bernard (Texas) – 22.86 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
4. Rhasidat Adeleke (NIKE) – 22.86 (0.8 m/s, Heat 2)
5. Abigail Wolfe (Texas) – 22.94 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
6. Naomi London (Texas) – 23.03 (0.8 m/s, Heat 2)
7. Amelliah Birdow (Texas) – 23.26 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
8. Aji Mbye (San Diego State) – 23.35 (0.8 m/s, Heat 2)
9. Holly Okuku (Texas) – 23.43 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)
10. Rejoice Sule (Texas) – 23.55 (0.5 m/s, Heat 1)

Women's 100m Results:

1. Julien Alfred (PUMA) – 10.93 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
2. Carleta Bernard (Texas) – 11.34 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
3. Abigail Wolfe (Texas) – 11.42 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
4. Naomi London (Texas) – 11.45 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
5. Holly Okuku (Texas) – 11.58 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
6. Rejoice Sule (Texas) – 11.62 (1.8 m/s, Heat 1)
7. Jasmine Cooke (St. Edward’s) – 12.65 (2.0 m/s, Heat 2)
8. Myosia Virgin (St. Edward’s) – 12.97 (2.0 m/s, Heat 2)
9. Isabella Bickham (St. Edward’s) – 13.05 (2.0 m/s, Heat 2)
10. Michelle Hernandez (St. Edward’s) – 13.41 (2.0 m/s, Heat 2)
11. Ashley Fairley (Unattached) – 13.80 (2.0 m/s, Heat 2)