Julien Alfred's spikes fetch millions at charity auction
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 30.10.25. | 16:47
The auctioned spikes were no ordinary shoes. They were the custom PUMA Nitro sprint spikes Alfred wore during her remarkable 2025 season
Saint Lucia’s sprint sensation, Julien Alfred, turned her golden success into a powerful act of charity after raising over US$100,000 (approximately Ksh12.9 million) for charity through an auction of her memorabilia.
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The fundraising event, dubbed “Power and Grace: An Evening in Honour of Julien Alfred,” was hosted by her sponsors, BodyHoliday, earlier this month.
The highlight of the night came when Alfred’s 2025 track spikes, the very pair that carried her to glory, were sold for an astonishing $75,000 (Ksh9.6 million).
The winning bid came from American businessman Kevin Graves, who manages Team USA and NBA star Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat.
Graves said his motivation was not just to own a piece of history but to contribute to a meaningful cause.
“Supporting charitable organisations like the Alfred Foundation is vital. Julien’s story inspires so many, and I’m proud to be part of this journey,” Graves said.
The auctioned spikes were no ordinary shoes. They were the custom PUMA Nitro sprint spikes Alfred wore during her remarkable 2025 season.
That year, she sprinted to her second consecutive Wanda Diamond League 100m title and bagged a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships.
The 24-year-old has been on a historic run since her breakthrough performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won gold in the 100m with a new national record of 10.72 seconds, Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal and added silver in the 200m.
Other auction items included Alfred’s PUMA jersey and bib from Tokyo 2025, which were sold to former basketballer Marcellus Stiede for $1,900 after starting at $500.
The evening also saw a wave of generosity from Alfred’s supporters.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority contributed US$5,000 (approximately Ksh245,500), Sunswept Resorts/BodyHoliday CEO Andrew Barnard gave US$10,000 (approximately Ksh1.3 million), Bay Gardens donated US$5,000 (approximately Ksh650,000), while the Daren Sammy Foundation presented EC$10,000 through Cathy Daniel-Sammy, wife of West Indies cricket coach Daren Sammy.
An anonymous donor also gave US$25,000 (approximately Ksh3.2 million), pushing the total raised past the six-figure mark.
Sammy, currently in India with the West Indies men’s team, sent a video message applauding Alfred’s impact and urging attendees to continue supporting her foundation’s work.
International athletes Vernon Norwood (USA) and Rashidat Adeleke (Ireland) were also in attendance and pledged to return to Saint Lucia.
The funds raised will go towards initiatives run by the Julien Alfred Foundation, which focuses on empowering young people through education, sports, and community development.
