Roseau, Dominica: The government and citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica celebrated the arrival of Thea LaFond, the Olympic Champion on August 24. The country has honoured her with Dominica’s highest award, a cash gift, and the naming of a new track facility.
Lafond made history by winning gold in the triple jump and claimed the country’s first-ever Olympic medal in Paris Olympics 2024.
Thea LaFond, claimed gold by setting the distance of 15.02 metres – a world best this year, beating Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, who took silver and American Jasmine Moore won bronze.
To celebrate her victory Dominica has set up series of celebratory events from August 24, to September 4, 2024. The celebrations commenced with her arrival at the Douglas Charles Airport in Dominica where she was greeted by Acting Prime Minister Denise Charles and Housing Minister Melissa Skerrit.
On arriving, Thea Lafond shared her feelings of pride about her motherland Dominica, “Words cannot describe how proud I am of this country.” She further added that “beyond this medal, I have had the opportunity to truly present myself to the world, and it is now anything new. I have always known how beautiful we are inside and out, beyond our land and people, but the ability to showcase it to the world that feeling has been unmatched.”
The triple jump was made more unpredictable this year after Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas, the world record holder and Tokyo gold medallist, missed the Games with an Achilles tendon injury.
Interacting with the Dominicans Lafond further stated, that she is happy to be home and her goal has always been and will continue to be to make her country proud. She added, “It is always an honor and a privilege to compete for Dominica.”
Olympic Gold medallist Thea Lafond outlined, that “it is always my biggest bragging right that I am a Dominican, and I promise to represent you. I will continue to fight to ensure that they say our name correctly.”
After her welcome at the airport, Lafond participated in grand motorcade meeting the Dominicans and passing by the roads of Dominica; from the northern town of Portsmouth to the capital, Roseau, where hundreds joined to celebrate her achievement.
Further they reached at the celebration concert which was held at the Windsor Park Stadium on Sunday night.
During the celebration event Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit announced that the Olympic Champion Thea LaFond-Gadson will receive Dominica’s highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, during this year’s independence celebrations.
PM Skerrit further honoured the pride of Dominica with cash gift of $400,000.00 and announced a 7,459 square-feet lot in Warner to be presented to her.
Prime Minister Skerrit further added that she will be appointed Sports Ambassador for Dominica. Additionally, the Olympic Champion and her husband and coach Aaron Gadson will receive diplomatic passports.
Significantly, the Government of Dominica has announced to construct a synthetic track facility that will be named the Thea LaFond-Gadson Track & Field Complex upon completion.
While announcing the Track field PM Skerrit noted, “We are aware of your desire for a facility that provides opportunities for track and field athletes to develop their skills, and this remains a priority on our agenda for sports development in Dominica. The government of Dominica has the designs and has already identified a location for the construction of a synthetic track.”
During the ceremony Prime Minister Skerrit also announced an award of $20,000.00 for the 2024 Olympians Dennick Luke, Warren Lawrence and Jasmine Schofield who represented the nation at an international platform and showcased their skill.
