Dominican Olympian Thea LaFond Reflects on Historic Gold Medal Win and Plans for Homecoming

Thea LaFond is Dominica’s first Olympic medalist, after capturing the gold medal in the women’s triple jump final. She was one of five Caribbean women to reach the final of the event, earning the coveted medal at her third Olympic Games.‌ As Julien Alfred did earlier, Ms. LaFond also told the Consortium’s Nelcia Charlemagne that she’s still trying to wrap her mind around her massive accomplishment. It’s a win that thrust Dominica — a nation of just over 72,000 people — into sheer ecstasy. “I hear it, but it doesn't resonate…it wasn't until yesterday that I even cried between competing and being back in the States,” she admitted. What moved her to tears was a book authored by a young British-Dominican girl who detailed her experience watching Ms. LaFond at the games.‌ “I think it was for the first time I realized that the next generation, for the first time, got to see someone wave their flag, and [hear] our national anthem played on the podium,” she said. Thea was raised in Dominica,...