Dominica is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its first-ever Olympic medalist, Thea LaFond Gadson, who made history by winning gold in the triple jump at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. Thea’s victory not only marks the first Olympic medal for the tiny Caribbean island of approximately 50,000 people but also follows her earlier achievement of winning Dominica’s first global medal—a gold in the triple jump at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow this March.
In recognition of her historic accomplishments, Dominica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth, Culture, Sports, and Community, Oscar George, has announced a series of celebratory events set to take place from August 24 to September 4, 2024, to honour Thea and her fellow Olympians Dennick Luke, Warren Lawrence, and Jasmine Scofield, who also represented the nation in Paris.
The celebrations will kick off on Saturday, August 24, with Thea’s arrival at Douglas Charles Airport at 2 pm. A welcome ceremony will be held at the VIP Lounge, where government officials, dignitaries, and family members will gather to greet the Olympic champion. This event will set the tone for the days of festivities to follow, as the island nation comes together to honour their national hero.
On Sunday, August 25, the festivities continue with a motorcade starting at 1:30 pm in Portsmouth, traveling along the scenic west coast to Rousseau. This event will offer the public a chance to show their appreciation for Thea as she makes her way to the capital city. The day will culminate in a grand celebration ceremony and concert at Windsor Park Stadium in Forecourt at 4 pm, featuring speeches from government and sports officials, as well as musical performances. The public is warmly invited to attend and participate in the celebration of Thea’s historic achievement.
Thea’s week of honour will also include a courtesy call to the Honourable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt on Tuesday, August 27. An official cocktail reception in her honour is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, August 28 at the State House Conference Centre.
Throughout her stay in Dominica, Thea will visit various primary and secondary schools, as well as the Dominica State College, where she will engage with students and inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders. Her presence and words of encouragement are expected to leave a lasting impact on the youth of Dominica, motivating them to pursue their dreams with the same determination and dedication that led Thea to Olympic gold.
Minister George expressed the nation’s pride and joy in Thea’s achievements, stating, "The government and people of Dominica look forward to celebrating Thea’s remarkable success at the Paris Olympics, an achievement that has brought immense pride and joy to our nation."
As the island prepares to welcome Thea LaFond Gadson home, the celebrations promise to be a fitting tribute to an athlete who has not only made history but has also united a nation in pride and admiration.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce parts ways with Coach Walcott, to battle on in 2025 with new team
Five-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to continue her illustrious track career for yet another season, despite facing significant injury challenges throughout 2024.
However, the sprinting legend will reportedly do so under new guidance. Sportsmax.TV understands that Fraser-Pryce will be leaving Reynaldo Walcott, the coach she helped establish at Elite Performance Track Club.
Fraser-Pryce, who has been hampered by a persistent knee injury over the past few seasons, made the decision to move on after a reportedly frosty relationship developed between her and Walcott during the 2024 season. Calls and a Whatsapp message to Coach Walcott went unanswered.
Though her next coaching destination remains unclear, Sportsmax understands that the two-time Olympic 100m gold medalist has moved to put together a team to guide her through the upcoming season.
The name of Andre Wellington has surfaced as the person who will be among Fraser-Pryce’s new coaching outfit. Wellington has coached World U20 100m silver medalist Bouwahghie Nkrumie at Kingston College (KC). He was a member of the Racers Track Club between 2011 and 2012.
Fraser-Pryce had been a founding member of Elite Performance Track Club, partnering with Walcott in early 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, The 37-year-old sprint queen achieved remarkable success, notably lowering her personal best from 10.70 to 10.60 seconds. In 2022, she became the first woman to run sub-10.7 seconds on seven occasions in a single season and secured her fifth 100m world title in Eugene, Oregon.
However, since that stellar 2022 season, injuries have taken their toll on the Jamaican icon. In 2023, at the World Championships in Budapest, Fraser-Pryce finished third in the 100m, a notable drop from her dominant form the previous year. Her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was further curtailed, as she withdrew from the semi-finals for reasons that remain undisclosed.
Fraser-Pryce’s decision to continue competing, despite these setbacks, underscores her determination to finish her career on her own terms.
As the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic 100m title in Beijing 2008, she has remained a dominant force in global athletics for over a decade. Now, with a fresh team in her corner, the sprinting icon is focused on overcoming the injuries that have plagued her and making yet another remarkable run in 2025.
The news, if confirmed, followed a recent development this wherein Olympic 110m bronze medalist Rasheed Broadbell has also left Elite Performance for the MVP Track Club.
Yohan Blake set to take ownership of Butcher's Barrel restaurant in Fort Lauderdale
Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion and the second-fastest man in history over both the 100m and 200m, is gearing up for his latest business venture—this time in the United States. The Jamaican sprinting icon is set to take ownership of a Butcher’s Barrel franchise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, expanding his entrepreneurial footprint beyond the track.
The highly rated Butcher’s Barrel is known for sourcing the finest USDA Choice, Prime, and wagyu beef. The restaurant’s dinner menu boasts a variety of premium dishes, including the Delmonico ribeye, foie gras burger, Colorado bison burger, and Nebraska wagyu burger, making it a go-to destination for steak lovers.
Blake, who in October 2023 launched the Revierie Purified Water brand in Kingston, has been venturing into various business opportunities as he plans for life after athletics. The Butcher’s Barrel marks his first major restaurant venture in the United States.
“If you’re in Florida, come have dinner with me on October 8th, reserve your table early or just come by,” Blake posted on Instagram on Sunday. The post accompanied a brief video where Blake personally invited patrons to the restaurant, saying, "You’re officially invited to my restaurant launch on October 8th in Fort Lauderdale. Come on down."
As he transitions from his illustrious career on the track to life as a businessman, Blake's latest venture signals his growing focus on expanding his brand and interests beyond sport. Fans and food lovers alike are now eagerly anticipating the launch of the Butcher’s Barrel in Fort Lauderdale, where Blake will bring his signature energy to the world of fine dining.
Olympic champion Julien Alfred gifted EC$1 million, highway to be renamed, monument to be erected in her honour
In a historic celebration of her unprecedented achievements, St. Lucia’s Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred was honoured with a series of prestigious awards and accolades on Friday, September 27, officially designated as 'Julien Alfred Day.' The island nation’s government and its people came together to pay tribute to the 22-year-old sprint sensation, who has made history and brought immense pride to St. Lucia on the global stage.
The government, led by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, announced several significant honours for Alfred during a celebratory event on Friday night. Among the most notable was the announcement that the Millennium Highway would be renamed the Julien Alfred Highway. In addition, a monument will be constructed in her honour at the new Cul de Sac Roundabout, ensuring that her legacy will be a lasting part of St. Lucia’s infrastructure.
Alfred will also receive a government gift of EC$1 million, as well as a plot of land of her choice, measuring 10,720 square feet. Furthermore, the prime minister revealed plans for a Julien Alfred commemorative stamp and a commemorative exercise book featuring photos of the Olympic champion, cementing her place in the nation’s history.
These grand gestures came after a whirlwind year for Alfred, who became the first St. Lucian to win a medal at the Olympic Games. She captured gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, further solidifying her status as a national hero. Earlier in the year, she won the 60m title at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, and she recently capped her outstanding season by winning the 100m Diamond League title in Brussels.
The day of festivities began with Alfred receiving a special award from George Pagoulatos, the Greek Ambassador to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, added symbolic weight to the award, further emphasizing Alfred’s status among the world’s elite athletes.
Following this presentation, Alfred was honored by the St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) with a cash award of EC$75,000, a token of appreciation for her historic achievements and the pride she has brought to her country.
These latest honours follow a private dinner held Thursday night, hosted by the BodyHoliday Resort and First National Bank, where family and friends celebrated her remarkable success.
The day-long celebrations culminated in a special concert on Friday night, where fans, dignitaries, and fellow athletes gathered to celebrate Alfred’s achievements. The emotional occasion saw Alfred express heartfelt gratitude to the people of St. Lucia for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
The event also marked a defining moment in St. Lucia’s sporting history, as the island nation rallied around its Olympic hero, who was also named St Lucia's Tourism Ambassador
As Julien Alfred’s star continues to rise, 'Julien Alfred Day' will be remembered as a historic celebration of one of St. Lucia’s greatest sporting icons.
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