Julien Alfred Makes Shocking Announcement Ahead of Women’s 200m Heats

Olympics 100m champion Julien Alfred has made a heartbreaking announcement regarding her participation in the rest of the events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Alfred won bronze in 100m on Sunday after finishing behind American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who won gold, and silver medalist Jamaican Tina Clayton, having clocked 10.84 seconds.

However, after the race, Alfred confirmed that she had been running with an injury after sustaining a hamstring problem in the warm up before the final.

That problem has now ended her championship as her camp confirmed that she will not be featuring in the 200m due to the injury.

“On the advice of medical professionals and in consultation with her management team, our Olympic champion and 100m World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, Julien Alfred has been withdrawn from the women’s 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo,” the St Lucia Athletics Federation said in a statement.

“Julien sustained a grade 1 hamstring strain. The decision to withdraw prioritises her health and long-term career.”

It is a blow for Alfred, who won silver in 200m at the Paris Olympics, and was looking to challenge for gold but her withdrawal opens up the door for her rivals.

Defending champion Shericka Jackson is looking to retain her title after missing out on a medal in the 100m on Sunday but Jefferson-Wooden is considered favourite for gold as she has been the most in-form runner this season.

The 200m, whose heats will be run on Monday, will now miss the Olympics gold and silver medalist after American Gabby Thomas pulled out of the World Championships owing to an Achilles injury.