Dominica’s first Olympic gold medalist, Thea Lafond Gadson, was honoured with a grand motorcade and celebration live performance upon her return dwelling.
Thea achieved a world report leap of 15.02 meters within the ladies’s triple bounce on the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing the island’s first-ever gold medal.
Along with the celebrations held, Lafond’s historic feat was acknowledged by the Authorities by numerous citations and rewards inlcuding:
- a money incentive of $400,000
- Appointment as a Nationwide Sports activities Ambassador;
- Issuance of a Diplomatic passport (courtesy of Diplomatic passport to even be prolonged to her husband);
- A parcel of land in Warner containing 7,459 sq. toes within the location of the long run housing venture with spectacular sea and mountain views.
- Observe and Subject facility to be constructed and named the Thea LaFond-Gadson Observe and Subject Advanced.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit will bestow LaFond the “Dominica Award of Honour”, the nation’s highest nationwide award, throughout this yr’s Independence celebrations the place she can even be a particular visitor of honour.
“Your gold medal within the triple bounce on the Paris Olympics will not be solely a historic accomplishment for our nation but in addition a unifying second that has impressed deep appreciation and pleasure amongst all Dominicans”, famous the Prime Minister in his speech.
In her speech, Thea stated her dad and mom raised her with the mentality, “we don’t cry, we attempt”. She additionally shouted “we did it” because the viewers applauded for this important victory.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit additionally expressed gratitude to the opposite three athletes who competed for Dominica on the Olympics this yr, asserting that Dennick Luke, Warren Lawrence, and Jasmine Schofield would every obtain $20,000 as a token for his or her exhausting work.
