Thea LaFond’s inspiring journey:
– Born in Dominica
– Moved to Maryland at age 7
– Began track in high school
– 2015 B1G Field Athlete of the Year
– Taught in Montgomery County Schools to support her dream
Now, she has become Dominica’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, making her country proud.
In a historic achievement, Thea LaFond delivered Dominica’s first-ever Olympic medal by winning gold in the triple jump with a 15.02m national record. This incredible feat happened at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, making LaFond the first Maryland track and field alum to win an Olympic medal. She is also the 10th gold medalist in Maryland’s history, and the first since Vicky Bullett in 1988.
LaFond’s winning jump was a personal best and a new world best for the year. Earlier, she had a mark of 14.35 meters in the qualifying round. This was her third Olympics, following her participation in 2016 and 2021. LaFond’s victory was even more special as it broke new ground for her Caribbean island nation.
Competing against the best, Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts won silver, and American Jasmine Moore took bronze. Earlier this year, LaFond also captured the world indoor triple jump title and posted the top jump of the year.
During her collegiate career at Maryland, LaFond earned multiple All-American honors and was recognized as the USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year in 2013. In 2015, she was named the Big Ten’s Field Athlete of the Year.