When most hear the word “Caribbean”, their first thought is Jamaica, especially when it comes to the Olympics and Track and Field. But this year other nations from the region are reminding people that it’s bigger than one island.
Traditionally at the Summer Games, Jamaica dominates the sprint field. From Merlene Ottey and Veronica Campbell to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Sherika Jackson on the women’s side to Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt on the men’s, Jamaican sprinters have dominated the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
But in 2024, other Caribbean nations have stepped up to claim their place on the Olympic podium.
After both Jackson and Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the 100m, Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred, in her first Olympic Games, blazed through the field to take gold over the U.S.’s Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson. Alfred’s win gave the small island of roughly 180,000 people its first-ever Olympic medal.
Over in the Triple Jump, Dominica, with a population of less than 80,000, secured its first-ever Olympic medal after Thea Lafond-Gadson beat Jamaica and the U.S. to take gold in the event.
Now, this isn’t a snub of Jamaica, for the island still made its mark at the Games in Paris.
Shanieka Ricketts took silver in the triple jump, Kishane Thompson took silver in one of the most thrilling men’s 100m races ever seen, and in a history-making moment, Rajindra Campbell gave Jamaica its first-ever Olympic men’s shot put medal after taking bronze in the event.
But this Games allowed the spotlight to shine brightly on other Caribbean nations
“I’m still trying to think of what just happened. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just looking forward to the celebration when I get home,” said Alfred.
Lafond expressed the same wave of emotions after her gold medal performance.
“Oh, God, my country is never going to stop partying, are they?” exclaimed Lafrond. “They deserve this as much as I do. And I hope they are partying enough for the both of us…”
Both amazing athletes will be celebrated in their country for their history-making performances and for reminding everyone that the Caribbean is more than one island.
And for smaller nations like Saint Lucia and Dominica, the attention and popularity their athletes won for them are priceless.
