ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Dominica’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist Thea LaFond-Gadson on Sunday officially received her nation’s highest honour, the Dominica Honour Award, for her historic achievement at the Paris Olympics.

LaFond-Gadson, who claimed gold in the Women’s Triple Jump in Paris and also won the triple jump at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, received the award during the country’s Independence Day Rally at the National Parade, where Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt acknowledged her significant contributions to Dominica.

During the formal ceremony, Dominica’s President Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton presented the award to the 30-year-old, one of 18 Dominicans and international honorees recognised this year for their contributions.

Speaking afterwards, LaFond-Gadson expressed her gratitude, describing the award as her “greatest achievement ever” and encouraged young Dominicans to follow their dreams with determination.

The accolades for LaFond-Gadson’s accomplishments extend beyond the national ceremony.

A private sector-hosted luncheon was held in her honour last Monday, and she was also appointed a sports ambassador and awarded EC$400,000 (over $23 million) along with a land grant from the Dominican Government.