Roseau, Dominica: Thea Lafond from Dominica advanced to the finals of the Women’s Triple Jump in the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday. She jumped 14.35 metres on her second jump to meet the qualification standards.
The final will be held on Saturday from 2: 20 pm as per Dominica time and if she managed to win, then this will provide the first medal in the Olympics to Dominica. The wishes have been poured on the athlete for reaching the final event of the game.
A 30-year-old is a Dominican track and field athlete who represented the country in the triple jump in the gams. She secured the gold medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and set a national record of 15.01m.
She also represented Dominica at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. Lafond placed third position in her heat, as Lafond goes in search of the country’s first medal in the Olympics.
Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit extended greetings to the athlete and encouraged her for the finals. He said, ”On to the finals! Best wishes to Thea Lafond.”
Further, Minister Fenella Wenham also extended greetings to Thea Lafond Gadson for qualifying for the Women’s Triple Jump finals at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. She said,” Your hard work and dedication will reap rewards. We’re here for you! To the finals we go.”
Hailing from Mahaut, Lafond has also been ranked on the fourth position in Triple Jump across the globe and turned out to be a scholarship holder. She participated in the Olympic for the third consecutive time and also remained national record holder in Triple Jump and Long Jump.
She also won bronze medal for two times in the Pan American Games and secured victory in Diamond League meeting.
Dominica is being represented by four athletes including Jasmine Schofiled who will contest Women’s 50m Freestyle Heat 3. The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday at 5: 04 am as per Dominica’s time.
Earlier, Warren Lawrence also participated in the swimming in the 50m freestyle and finished her medal journey on Thursday. The last athlete of the Olympic from Dominica is Dennick Luke who will contest Men’s 800m on August 7, 2024.
