Justin Gatlin believes that reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred will be the athlete to watch next season when it comes to the 100m and 200m.
The American sprint legend pointed out that Julien Alfred showed her potential at the Paris Olympic Games, a year after turning professional. Gatlin observed the fact that she dominated the NCAA and maintained her hot streak to impress at the Olympics is a sign that she is just getting started.
Julien Alfred claimed the 100m Olympic title, beating reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson to second place and she also claimed a silver behind Gabby Thomas in the women’s 200m. Justin Gatlin explained that the fact that the St. Lucien athlete is talented in both the 100m and 200m is also a reason for her opponents to watch out.
I think right now, she (Julien Alfred) does have the biggest upswing in this situation because she’s a true duel threat too. She can run the 200m very well, you know, I’ve watched her progression from college and how she dominated in that realm and then she went on to professional and what I saw was a very traditional acclamation to the professional world,” Justin Gatlin said.
“She knew what she was dealing with in the NCAA world, now when she came over here, she still had a really good breakout season and it fared very well and I think going into her sophomore season, she understood what she needed to get done.”
