Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit has announced a series of national honours and rewards for Thea LaFond-Gadson, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, following her historic win in the Triple Jump event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
During a celebration event on Sunday that included an address to the people of Dominica, LaFond-Gadson thanked all who came out to support the occasion.
Skerrit revealed that LaFond-Gadson will receive the Dominica Award of Honour, the nation’s highest accolade, during the upcoming independence celebrations.
In a move to bolster the country’s athletic infrastructure, the government plans to construct a synthetic track facility to be named the Thea LaFond-Gadson Track & Field Complex.
Skerrit also recognized the efforts of other 2024 Olympians. Dennick Luke, Warren Lawrence, and Jasmine Schofield will each receive $20,000 for their participation in the Paris Games.
This comprehensive package of honors and rewards underscores the significance of LaFond-Gadson’s achievement for Dominica and has also heightened public interest in similar efforts to follow by the Governments of Saint Lucia and Grenada who’s nationals also took home olympic medals for the first time at the Paris Olympics.