Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred has stunned the athletics world after announcing her withdrawal from the women’s 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. The St Lucian sprinter revealed that she has been nursing a hamstring injury, which has now forced her out of the competition.
Alfred, who claimed bronze in the 100m final on Sunday with a time of 10.84 seconds, disclosed that the injury occurred during warm-up ahead of the sprint final. Despite battling through the pain to secure a podium finish, medical assessments confirmed a grade 1 hamstring strain, making it impossible for her to compete further in Tokyo.
Her management team explained that the decision was made in consultation with medical professionals to prioritise Alfred’s health and protect her long-term career. The announcement is a bitter disappointment for the 23-year-old, who had been targeting a first world title over the half-lap distance after winning silver in the 200m at last year’s Paris Olympic Games.
The withdrawal dramatically reshapes the dynamics of the women’s 200m. Alfred was one of the key contenders for gold and her absence leaves the field wide open. Adding to the shake-up, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas had already pulled out of the event due to an Achilles problem, meaning the top two finishers from Paris will not line up in Tokyo.
Attention will now turn to defending champion Shericka Jackson, who is aiming to retain her crown after missing out on a medal in the 100m. Jackson’s experience and pedigree make her a formidable contender, but American star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden enters as the form athlete of the season. Having secured 100m gold, Jefferson-Wooden is regarded as the leading favourite to complete a sprint double.
The heats are scheduled for Monday, and with both Alfred and Thomas absent, several emerging names will look to seize the opportunity. Rising talents from the US, Jamaica, and Britain are expected to push for podium places in what is shaping up to be an unpredictable and thrilling contest.
For Alfred, the setback is a reminder of the fine margins in elite sprinting. While her bronze in the 100m remains a proud achievement, her focus will now shift to recovery and preparing for the next phase of her career. Fans will hope to see her back at full strength in the upcoming Diamond League and future global championships.
