Mon | Nov 25, 2024

LaFond-Gadson receives Dominica’s highest honour

Published:Tuesday | November 5, 2024 | 12:10 AM
Thea LaFond of Dominica, now LaFond-Gadson celebrates striking gold in the women’s triple jump at the Stade de France in Paris, France on August 3.
Gladstone Taylor
Thea LaFond of Dominica, now LaFond-Gadson celebrates striking gold in the women’s triple jump at the Stade de France in Paris, France on August 3.

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

DOMINICA’S FIRST-EVER Olympic gold medallist, Thea LaFond-Gadson, on Sunday officially received her nation’s highest honour, the Dominica Honour Award, for her historic achievement at the Paris Olympics.

LaFond-Gadson, who claimed gold in the women’s triple jump in Paris and also won the triple jump at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, received the award during the country’s Independence Day Rally at the National Parade, where Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt acknowledged her significant contributions to Dominica.

During the formal ceremony, Dominica’s President, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, presented the award to the 30-year-old, one of 18 Dominicans and international honourees recognised this year for their contributions.

Speaking afterward, LaFond-Gadson expressed her gratitude, describing the award as her “greatest achievement ever” and encouraged young Dominicans to follow their dreams with determination.

The accolades for LaFond-Gadson’s accomplishments extend beyond the national ceremony.

A private sector-hosted luncheon was held in her honour last Monday, and she was also appointed a sports ambassador and awarded $400,000, along with a land grant from the government.