Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Dominica’s Thea LaFond-Gadson created history simultaneously on the evening of Saturday 3 August as they both won their nation’s very first Olympic medals in Paris. What made it even sweeter was that they both won gold medals!
However, their athletic credentials should not have surprised the world, as both women won gold medals at the World Indoor Athletic Championships, which were held in Glasgow in March.
Julien Alfred’s winning 100 metres time of 10.72 seconds was a personal best and a new national record, and her margin of victory left clear daylight between her and USA’s Sha ‘Carri Richardson (10.87) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92).
Dominica’s Thea Lafond-Gadson also produced a personal best performance and new national record to win the women’s triple jump in 15.02 metres ahead of Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts (14.87m) and USA Jasmine Moore (14.67m).
To say that there was jubilation and pride in the streets of Saint Lucia and Dominica would be an understatement. Those with allegiance to these two islands and the Caribbean, in general, shared the celebrations and pride globally.
On the evening of Tuesday 6 August, Julien Alfred made further history as she doubled Saint Lucia’s Olympic medal tally by winning the silver medal in the women’s 200-metre final with a time of 22.08 seconds, behind USA’s Gabby Thomas (21.83) and ahead of USA’s Brittany Brown (22.20).
Soca News salutes both women for their inspirational and historic achievements and the inspiration and legacy they have helped create in the Caribbean.
