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.
Big up to Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred.
— First and Pen (@firstandpen) August 3, 2024
Alfred won the women's 100m and won the first ever Olympic medal for Saint Lucia. And it's 🥇! 🇱🇨🏃🏾♀️#OlympicGames #Athletics pic.twitter.com/bIAglVepKu
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.
Thought the women's 100m was historic? Check out the history-making women's triple jump.
— First and Pen (@firstandpen) August 3, 2024
Thea Lafond-Gadson won Dominica's first-ever Olympic medal🥇🇩🇲
Shanieka Ricketts took 🥈🇯🇲
And Jasmine Moore won the U.S's 1st ever triple jump medal 🥉#Paris2024 #Athletics pic.twitter.com/5zGv8Q7zIi
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
