{"id":327207,"date":"2024-08-05T10:02:40","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=327207"},"modified":"2024-08-05T11:41:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T15:41:31","slug":"pm-skerrit-promises-major-celebration-for-thea-lafond-gadson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/governance\/pm-skerrit-promises-major-celebration-for-thea-lafond-gadson\/","title":{"rendered":"PM Skerrit promises ‘major celebration’ for Thea Lafond-Gadson (with video)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thea Lafond-Gadson with Olympic medal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has promised a major celebration to honor Thea Lafond-Gadson, saying she has made all Dominicans proud.<\/p>\n

The athlete created history when she won the first gold medal for Dominica in the Olympic Games now taking place in Paris, France. She competed in Women\u2019s Triple Jump recording 15.02 meters.<\/p>\n

“Certainly we are going to have major celebration in Dominica when Thea comes back,” he said.<\/p>\n

He did not specify what type of celebration is to be expected saying that the government will indicate how it intends to recognize Lafond-Gadson’s “extraordinary performance.”<\/p>\n

Skerrit said Dominica owes the athlete a huge debt of gratitude.<\/p>\n

“What I like about her is her grace, her determination, perseverance, her discipline and always recognizing that she is representing Dominica,” he stated.<\/p>\n

“And so we owe her a huge debt of gratitude, a huge debt of thanks, a huge debt of commendation, and no doubt the government will respond appropriately to this extraordinary performance and this major source of pride.”<\/p>\n

He said outside of Dominica’s proclamation of independence there are no other events that have brought pride to Dominicans as Lafond-Gadson’s feat at the global games.<\/p>\n

In a telephone call to Lafond-Gadson after her historic achievement, Skerrit said the government looks forward to celebrating with her in a “grand way.”<\/p>\n

“Congratulations again,” he said to her. “I think you have really demonstrated what intrinsic perseverance is and intrinsic motivation is and I think you are an inspiration for all of us, especially the young people.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Lafond-Gadson said her Olympic feat is for the people of Dominica. “I am grateful, this is for you,” she said. “Paris owes me nothing now that we’ve done it.”<\/p>\n

She thanked the Dominica Athletics Association, the Dominica Olympic Association, and her family who she said without their physical, emotional, and financial support her achievement wouldn’t be possible.<\/p>\n

“I am truly grateful,” she said.<\/p>\n

Below is a video of the conversation between Thea and PM Skerrit. All video and photo credit: Dominica Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n