Jordan Crooks of the Cayman Islands delivered a standout performance in the men's 50m freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, advancing to the semifinals with the second-fastest time in the heats. Competing in Heat 10, Crooks finished second with a blistering 21.51 seconds, just 0.19 seconds behind Australian Cameron McEvoy, who clocked 21.32 seconds.
Crooks' impressive swim highlighted a strong showing for Caribbean swimmers, who competed fiercely across various heats at the Paris La Defense Arena, albeit with less fortune. The Cayman Islands swimmer’s advancement is a significant achievement, making him the sole Caribbean athlete to move forward in this event.
Elsewhere in the competition, veteran swimmer Dylan Carter from Trinidad and Tobago in Heat 8, finished with a time of 22.18 seconds, not enough to advance him to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, several Caribbean swimmers made their Olympic debuts with commendable performances. Troy Nisbett of St Kitts and Nevis competed in Heat 2, finishing fifth with a time of 28.71 seconds. Dominica's Warren Adam Lawrence took to the pool in Heat 4, clocking 24.67 seconds to finish sixth.
In Heat 5, Alex Joachim from St Vincent and the Grenadines made his debut with a time of 23.59 seconds, finishing fifth, while Aruba’s Mikel Schreuders secured third place in the same heat with a time of 22.14 seconds.
Despite their valiant efforts, the overall rankings saw Nisbett placing 69th, Lawrence 52nd, Joachim 45th, Schreuders 26th, and Carter 29th. While they did not advance to the next round, their participation and performances demonstrated the talent of Caribbean swimmers on the Olympic stage.
West Indies Academy secures first win of the season with 22-run DLS method victory over CCC
The West Indies Academy recorded their first win of the 2024 CG United Super50 Cup season with a 22-run DLS method win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine on Monday.
CCC, who were also seeking their first win of the season, were first dismissed for 174 in 39.5 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Experienced opener Kieran Powell top scored with 46 off 42 balls including eight fours while Shaqkere Parris made 40 and Johann Jeremiah hit 33.
Jediah Blades continued his good form with the ball this season with 3-23 from six overs and was well supported by Zishan Motara who took 3-31 from his 10 overs.
Joshua Bishop also bowled well with 2-25 from 6.5 overs.
In reply, the Academy were 167-7 off 40.5 overs, 22 runs ahead of the DLS par score when the rain brought an end to proceedings.
Andrew Rambaran and Johann Layne put together a crucial eighth wicket partnership, helping the Academy recover from 118-7 in the 29th over.
Rambaran finished 37* while Layne finished 25* off 28 balls including two fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Rivaldo Clarke top scored with 38. Romario Greaves was excellent with the ball for the CCC with 5-45 from his 10 overs while the other two wickets were split between Akeem Jordan and Abhijai Mansingh.
Full Scores:
Combined Campuses and Colleges 174 off 39.5 overs (Kieran Powell 46, Shaqkere Parris 40, Johann Jeremiah 33, Jediah Blades 3-23, Zishan Motara 3-31, Joshua Bishop 2-25)
West Indies Academy 167-7 off 40.5 overs (Rivaldo Clarke 38, Andrew Rambaran 37*, Johann Layne 25*, Romario Greaves 5-45).
Dominica’s Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson awarded nation’s highest honour
Paris Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson was conferred with Dominica’s highest honour, the Dominica Honour Award, on Sunday in recognition of her extraordinary achievements in 2024. LaFond-Gadson, who made history by becoming Dominica’s first Olympic medalist with her gold in the triple jump in Paris, also won the triple jump title at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier in March. Each of these remarkable victories marked a historic first for a Dominican athlete, solidifying her legacy as one of the country’s most celebrated sports figures.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt had previously announced that LaFond-Gadson would be honoured with the Dominica Honour Award during her visit to the island shortly after the Olympics. The formal recognition took place during the National Parade, where the Prime Minister addressed the nation, and all honorees were celebrated for their contributions to Dominica.
The Dominica Honour Award is presented annually during the Independence Day Rally to individuals who have significantly impacted the nation’s landscape. This year, LaFond-Gadson was one of 18 Dominicans and international honorees recognized. The award was presented by Dominica’s President, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, in a ceremony that highlighted LaFond-Gadson’s exceptional achievements and the pride she has inspired across the nation.
Speaking to the media after receiving the award, LaFond-Gadson expressed that the honour was her “greatest achievement ever” and encouraged young Dominicans to pursue their dreams with dedication and passion.
The celebration of LaFond-Gadson’s accomplishments does not end with Sunday’s parade. A luncheon hosted by a private sector organization was scheduled for Monday in her honour, extending the nation’s gratitude for her contributions. Her recognition comes in addition to being named a Sports Ambassador two months ago, along with receiving a $400,000 gift and a land grant from the government.
Prime Minister Skerritt, in his address, acknowledged the immense pride that LaFond-Gadson has brought to Dominica, calling her achievements a source of inspiration for the entire nation. With her historic Olympic victory and her continued dedication to her country, Thea LaFond-Gadson has undoubtedly secured her place as a Dominican icon.
T&T to host inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games
Trinidad & Tobago is set to create history next month when it plays home to the first-ever Special Olympics Regional Beach Games.
The Games is scheduled to run from November 8 to 10 and is being facilitated by Special Olympics T&T (SOTT), with the Digicel Foundation as one of the event’s main sponsors.
This new regional event will bring together 130 athletes, 70 coaches, and delegates from Special Olympics programmes across the Caribbean and North America to compete in a variety of beach sports, including Aquathlon, Beach Bocce, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball and Open Water Swimming, at venues in both Trinidad and Tobago.
Digicel Foundation Chief Executive Officer Penny Gomez said the company was pleased to be associated with such an important event.
“The dedication and commitment demonstrated by our special athletes and coaches is nothing short of inspiring.
“It’s a great honour for T&T to have been selected to host the inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games, and this recognition of our very own SOTT is very well-deserved,” Gomez said.
Special Olympics T&T (SOTT) is the only Special Olympics programme that currently includes the Beach Games as an annual multi-sport event and has done so since 2016.
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