Some of the greatest things about the Olympic Games are the stories about athletes you’ve never heard of. The stories of their families sharing in the unbridled joy (or grief) as four years of intense training come down to a single event on the world stage.
Thea LaFond has one such story. And the reaction of her brother is simply incredible.
LaFond, who represents Dominica, made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It marked the first Olympic gold medal for the Caribbean island nation. In fact, it was Dominica’s first medal of any kind, period. Not a bad way to start, right?
Her winning jump of 15.02 meters not only secured the gold but also set a new national record.
🇩🇲🥇
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 3, 2024
"Records are meant to be broken! Olympic medals are forever!"
An ecstatic Thea LaFond reflects on securing Dominica's first-ever Olympic medal! #Olympics2024Paris #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/jD2TelFA3F
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Watch Thea LaFond’s Brother Learn The News
Hitting the medal podium? Check. Securing gold? Check. Making history? Yep.
Not much better than that right there. But something pretty close? Thea LaFond’s brother, Chreign, learning the news at a football practice.
Chreign LaFond is a 6′ 5″, 262-pound defensive end for the Naval Academy football team.
“Chreign LaFond!” head coach Brian Newberry yells as the team stands along the sidelines. “Hey … your sister just won a gold medal.”
Thea’s brother immediately hugs another coach and the rest of the team starts up a wild celebration. What an amazing, amazing moment!
We're not crying, YOU'RE CRYING! 🥹
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 4, 2024
Thea LaFond made history in the women's triple jump on Saturday and Navy Football made sure her brother, Chreign, knew immediately. #ParisOlympics2024
(🎥 @NavyFB) pic.twitter.com/W0fJHQhDIo
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Emigrated To The US At The Age Of 5
Thea LaFond became the favorite in the triple jump event after capturing the title at the World Indoor Championships this past March.
But that didn’t diminish her historic win and the emotions that came along with it.
“It’s an understatement to say it’s a really big deal,” she said following her victory.
“Sometimes you wonder if being from a small country means that you have less accessibility to resources. … But we’ve been really big on (prioritizing) quality and just executing it.”
LaFond came to the United States at the age of 5. Chreign was born in America.
She previously competed in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, serving in the latter Games as Dominica’s flag-bearer.
More about:Athletics