- Government Approved Citizenship by Investment Project
- +1 767 448-5775
- info@anichidevelopment.com
-
The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone for Dominica. For the first time in the history of this modest Caribbean nation, an Olympic medal has been won, and it’s a gold one. The triumph was achieved by Thea Lafond-Gadson in the women’s triple jump, where she recorded an impressive 15.02 metres and set a national record. This remarkable achievement on the world stage is the culmination of her years of hard work and determination.
Thea Lafond began representing Dominica at the highest level in 2011 when she competed in the World Youth Championships in Athletics, securing 13th place in the women’s triple jump with a result of 12.15 metres. Since then, her achievements have steadily grown over the past 13 years.
| Year | Competition | Venue Representing Dominica | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | World Youth Championships | Lille, France | 15th (q) | High jump | 1.62 m |
| 13th (q) | Triple jump | 12.15 m | |||
| 2012 | World Junior Championships | Barcelona, Spain | 11th (q) | Triple jump | 12.66 m |
| 2014 | Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 5th (q) | High jump | 1.81 m |
| 11th | Triple jump | 12.64 m | |||
| 2015 | Pan American Games | Toronto, Canada | 13th | High jump | 1.80 m |
| 12th | Triple jump | 13.35 m | |||
| NACAC Championships | San José, Costa Rica | 6th | High jump | 1.76 m | |
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 37th (q) | Triple jump | 12.82 m |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 19th (q) | Triple jump | 13.82 m |
| 2018 | World Indoor Championships | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 17th | Triple jump | 13.68 m |
| Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 3rd | Triple jump | 13.92 m | |
| NACAC Championships | Toronto, Canada | 3rd | Triple jump | 13.74 m | |
| 2019 | Pan American Games | Lima, Peru | 8th | Triple jump | 13.70 m |
| World Championships | Doha, Qatar | N/A | Triple jump | DNS | |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 12th | Triple jump | 12.57 m |
| 2022 | World Indoor Championships | Belgrade, Serbia | 4th | Triple jump | 14.53 m |
| World Championships | Eugene, United States | 5th | Triple jump | 14.56 m | |
| Commonwealth Games | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 2nd | Triple jump | 14.56 m | |
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 5th | Triple jump | 14.90 m |
| 2024 | World Indoor Championships | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 1st | Triple jump | 15.01 m PB NR |
| Summer Olympics | Paris, France | 1st | Triple jump | 15.02 m PB NR |
In 2018, Thea Lafond made history as the first Dominican athlete to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, earning bronze in the women’s triple jump with a jump of 13.92 metres.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Thea served as the flag bearer for her country and finished in 12th place. In 2022, she improved her performance, jumping 14.56 metres and winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
On March 3, 2024, Lafond became the first Dominican athlete to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, setting a national record with a leap of 15.01 metres.
After more than a decade of relentless effort, at the age of 30, Thea Lafond achieved the most prestigious accolade in the sport: the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. On August 3, 2024, it seemed that fortune favoured Dominica’s national hero.
A pivotal moment in the competition came from Thea’s coach and husband, Aaron Gadson. After her first jump of 14.32 metres, he approached her with invaluable advice: “He came to me and he said,” Thea recounts “Listen, there is torrential downpour coming in 20 minutes. You have to do something big now because the weather is not going to be on your side.” On her second attempt, Lafond leaped 15.02 metres, securing her victory. As predicted by Gadson, the storm arrived, and no one else could come close to her result under the challenging conditions.
Following her win, Thea Lafond-Gadson expressed gratitude to her family, the Dominica Athletic Association, and the Dominica Olympic Committee for their financial, emotional, and physical support, without which this achievement would not have been possible.
The Government of Dominica praised Thea Lafond’s accomplishments: “We commend her for her unwavering dedication, perseverance, and relentless pursuit of excellence, which have propelled her to the highest level of success on the global stage. Her victory in Paris exemplifies the strength and resilient spirit of the Dominican people and we look forward to welcoming her home in a triumphant display of national pride and celebration.
We also extend our congratulations to her team, coach, and the members of the Dominica Olympic Committee, whose support and guidance have played a crucial role in her achievements.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development and the Government of Dominica, continue to wish Thea Lafond-Gadson ongoing success in her extraordinary career.”
For Dominica, this marks the eighth consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. In addition to Thea Lafond-Gadson, Dominica was represented by three other athletes at the 2024 Games:
Dennick Luke, 23 years old, is competing for the second time and will race in the 800 metres on August 8. He holds the national record and won a bronze medal at the NACAC U23 Championships.
Warren Lawrence, 21 years old, is competing in the 100 metres freestyle swimming event. He is the national record holder and the first Dominican swimmer to compete in the Olympics since 2000. Lawrence qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics and recorded a time of 24.67 seconds, just short of his personal best of 24.51 seconds. He finished 5th in his highly competitive heat and 52nd overall out of 73 competitors. Warren Lawrence is the son of former Olympic swimmer Woodrow Woody Lawrence, who represented Dominica at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Jasmine Schofield, 18 years old, competed in the 50 metres freestyle swimming event. She became the first female swimmer from Dominica to participate in the Olympics since 2000 and set a new national record with a time of 29.91 seconds, earning third place in her competitive heat. Jasmine Schofield is the daughter of Dominican Olympic swimmer Francilia Agar, who competed at the Sydney 2000 Games.
The success of Dominica at the Olympic Games and the achievements of its athletes on the international stage have brought global attention to this paradise island and its welcoming Caribbean nation. The country actively participates in international sports and cultural events, showcasing its dynamic and evolving community.
For investors seeking to be part of a peaceful and thriving community that values success and accomplishments, the Government of Dominica offers a unique opportunity: citizenship by investment through real estate. To learn more about the benefits of Dominica citizenship and investment opportunities in the hospitality sector, please contact us.
