Caribbean Athletes Shine At Paris 2024 Olympics

News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: St. Lucian born sprinter Julien Alfred and Dominica-born Thea La Fond made history for their individual countries on August 3rd in Paris while uniting Caribbean nationals globally in joy and celebration as other athletes kept the small region shining at the Paris 2024 Olympics and in the winning circle.

Gold medalist Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia celebrates on the podium during Women’s 100m medal ceremony on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 4, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)

St. Lucian born sprinter Julien Alfred is now the fastest woman in the world, winning the finals of the women’s 100-m and besting the much-touted American runner, Sha’Carri Richardson at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Read More: Julien Alfred (Caribbean) Wins Olympic Gold in Women’s 100m (newsamericasnow.com)

Gold medalist Thea Lafond of Dominica gestures during the women’s triple jump medal ceremony on Day 9 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 4, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

La Fond, meanwhile, produced her gold winning leap on her second attempt, adding to her triumph at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year while erasing the disappointment at last year’s World Championship in Budapest when she finished fifth. The 30-year-old produced a new national record 15.02 metres in the women’s triple jump, to also clinch her country’s maiden medal at an Olympic Games and spark similar euphoria in Roseau.

ALFRED

“It feels amazing to be honest. After waking up this morning I wrote it down: Julien Alfred – Olympic champion,” Alfred told reporters after the win. “So I think just believing in myself and trusting that I could do it is what really mattered to me. I’m going through the motions right now – it hasn’t sunk in yet. I had to go out there, trust myself, trust my coach and most importantly trust God.”

Alfred won in a time of 10.72 to Richardson’s 10.87. American Melissa Jefferson took bronze (10.92). For her home country, it’s the first Olympic medal of any kind. Alfred, 23, also set a new national record of 10.72 s. She is coached by Edrick Floreal, the man behind the rich athletic careers of athletes like Rhasidat Adeleke and Leo Neugebauer.

Born in the south Castries community of Ciceron, Julien Alfred attended Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School in Saint Lucia from 2013 to 2015, and then moved to Jamaica at age 14 where she attended the St. Catherine High School from 2015 to 2018. She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in Youth & Community Studies at the University of Texas in the United States, balancing her academic and athletic commitments.

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre celebrated Alfred’s achievement, posting on his Facebook page: “Today is great day for OECS member states and the people of the Caribbean! In one day Saint Lucia and Dominica have created history by winning our first Olympic medal and bringing home the GOLD.

“Congratulations to Saint Lucia’s very own, Julien Alfred for winning gold in the Women’s 100m …”

LA FOND

“This season wasn’t easy but we did it when it mattered and that’s what counts,” La Fond said. “All that matters is what happened tonight.”

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was quick to congratulate La Fond on the behalf of a grateful nation.

“Your outstanding accomplishment on the global stage fills our nation with immense pride and joy,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “We celebrate your success and hope that your dedication and perseverance will inspire future generations of athletes in Dominica. Thank you for always representing our country with such grace and dignity. Your triumph in Paris stands among our proudest moments as a nation!”

JAMAICA

Silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts of Team Jamaica celebrates on the podium during Women’s Triple Jump medal ceremony on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

While Jamaican fans globally were stunned by news that three-time Olympic gold medallist, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, the reigning World 200 metres champion, had pulled out of their races, fans still had something to cheer about both on August 3rd and August 4th.

On August 3rd, Shanieka Ricketts measured a season-best 14.87 to finish with silver in the triple jump while Rajindra Campbell took bronze in the men’s shot put with a mark of 22.15 metres.

AGONY

Kishane Thompson of Jamaica reacts after the Men’s 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Liewig – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

There was anguish for Jamaican fans again on August 5th when Kishane Thompson of Jamaica came agonisingly close to capturing gold in the men’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics ahead of the boisterous American Noah Lyles.

In one of the closest ever finishes in the event in Olympics history, Thompson and Lyles both clocked 9.79 seconds in a pulsating final that had to be determined by a photo finish.

Lyles’ teammate Fred Kerley won bronze in 9.81 seconds.

Initially, it appeared as though the burly 23-year-old Thompson had crossed the line first. However, following the use of the photo finish technology, Lyles (9.784) was declared the winner ahead of Thompson (9.789).

Lyles, who together with Thompson watched the big screen anxiously as they awaited the winner to be announced, raised his hands in triumph before taking off for a lap of honour around the track when the decision was made.

A dejected looking Thompson could only look on in disbelief. He was hoping to become the first Jamaican man to win the event since Usain Bolt in 2016, got off to a fast start and led the field after 65 metres.

“Honestly it’s not just that I didn’t win the gold, it’s that I didn’t better myself in that sense,” a devastated Thompson said after the final.

GRENADA

Lindon Victor of Grenada celebrates after the men’s decathlon of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo by Li Ming/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Grenadian Lindon Victor pulled out the stops to also clinch bronze in the men’s decathlon with 8711 points to put his country on the medal table as of press time on August 5th. He is just the second athlete – behind Kirani James – to win a medal for Grenada at the Olympics.

His outstanding achievement was recognized by Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, who described Victor as “one of the greatest athletes in the world.”

“The Government of Grenada congratulates Mr Lindon Victor, OBE, on his amazing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Government expresses its deepest gratitude to Mr Victor for his continued stellar representation of our nation on the world stage,” a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

“Once again, Lindon Victor has shown that he is one of the greatest athletes in the world by copping bronze in the decathlon, giving Grenada its first medal at the Paris Olympics.

“His determination and perseverance embody the Grenadian spirit and its testimony to his dedication and persistent pursuit of excellence,” it added.

CUBA/DR

Arlen Lopez Cardona (blue) of Team Cuba during the Men’s 80 kg preliminary round match in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Cardona won the match. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Arlen Lopez landed Cuba its first medal of this Olympics, taking bronze in the Men’s 80 KG Boxing competition while Yunior Reyes and Cristian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic, also placed their country on the medals table, winning bronze in their Men’s 51 KG and Men’s 80 KG boxing matchups.

Cristian Javier Pinales of Dominican Republic celebrates after winning the Men’s 80kg Quarterfinal match against Gabrijel Veocic of Croatia during the Men’s 80kg Quarterfinal match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on August 2, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

Billal BENNAMA of France (red) and Yunior ALCANTARA REYES of Dominican Republic (blue) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Day 9 at North Paris Arena on August 4, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

As the Olympics continue until August 11th, the Caribbean region proudly celebrates the achievements of its athletes on the global stage.