Danusia Francis got a good warm-up for the Summer Olympic Games this weekend while competing for Xelska in Spain's Liga Iberdrola in the city of Gironella.
The British-based gymnast had competed for Xelska a few times before, so needing to get some competition in before she jets off to Tokyo, Francis, Jamaica’s lone gymnast for the Olympics, took advantage of the opportunity and helped her team to victory in the six-team competition.
Teams in the Liga Iberdrola or Spanish League can invite an international athlete to join them but that athlete is not allowed to compete in more than three events. However, Francis managed to compete in all four but did not receive a score for the balance beam routine.
Nevertheless, she was glad she was able to test herself in what were trying conditions.
“I did do all the events but I didn’t get a score for the balance beam but it was really good practice,” she told Sportsmax.TV.
“It’s really a fast-paced competition, faster than any competition I’ve done and it was super-hot and it was a good way to test myself at this stage in the game leading into Tokyo.”
She said she felt like she performed well and now has a good idea of where she is a month ahead of the start of the Games.
“My performances were really good. I was extremely happy with my bar routine, I got a really good score there, and then my vault was good,” she said.
“I did make a mistake on (the) beam but as I mentioned, I was only supposed to do three of the events and the beam was a last-minute decision so I was a bit flustered and it was kind of an uncharacteristic mistake so nothing that I can’t fix.
“But I did do my new skill on the beam pretty well so that was good and my floor routine was pretty good. I already knew that I had to work on some stamina there and with the heat, I felt that but I managed to do a good performance and it was a good confidence booster that made me feel like I am on track for where I want to be in the next few weeks.”
Francis is the second female gymnast to represent Jamaica at the Olympic Games following in the footsteps of Toni-Ann Williams, who at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was the first female gymnast to compete for Jamaica at the Olympic Games.
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.
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.
Alfred grateful for continued recognition after Olympic success in Paris
St. Lucian Olympic champion Julien Alfred is grateful to continue to receive recognition for her historic achievements at the Paris Olympics in August.
On Wednesday, the 23-year-old took home the award of best female athlete of Paris 2024 at the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) Awards ceremony held in Cascais, Portugal.
Alfred stormed to a historic 100m gold medal in Paris, the first Olympic medal in St. Lucia’s history.
“It’s truly an amazing feeling getting the love and support. I was not expecting so many praises, tonight especially, but it’s an amazing feeling knowing that my sacrifices and hard work are being celebrated and I’m truly grateful for it,” Alfred said after receiving her award.
She also spoke of her status as a role model for youngsters in St. Lucia and the importance of making them feel like nothing is impossible once you work towards it.
“It’s truly inspiring. Growing up, I looked at Usain Bolt and Levern Spencer, one of my countrywomen, but to be able to be standing here inspiring the youth is something that I’ve always dreamt of and it makes me feel like all my hard work is paying off,” she said.
“Now it’s time to continue to inspire the nation and the youth that no matter where you’re from, you can always work towards your dream,” she added.
Another history maker, Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, took home the award for best male athlete at Paris 2024.
The award for best male team went to Denmark Handball while the best female team went to Italy Volleyball.
The best male team in individual sports award went to Japan Artistic Gymnastics while the female award went to Great Britain Track Cycling.
Austria’s Lukas Mahr and Lara Vadlau took home the award for best mixed team while Chinese six-time Olympic Table Tennis champion Ma Long and New Zealand’s eight-time Olympic gold medallist in canoeing Lisa Carrington took home the male and female outstanding career awards, respectively.
Julien Alfred named Best Female Athlete of Paris 2024 by ANOC
St Lucia’s sprint sensation Julien Alfred has been awarded the prestigious Best Female Athlete of the Paris 2024 Olympics by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). Alfred, who dominated the 100m event with a lifetime-best 10.72 seconds, was present to receive the accolade at a grand ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, honoring standout athletes from the 2024 Olympic Games.
Alfred, 23, delivered a spectacular performance at the Paris Games, capturing gold in the women’s 100m final and securing a silver in the 200m with a time of 22.08 seconds. Her 100m victory, marked by a personal best, cemented her place as one of the fastest women in the world and brought home an Olympic gold medal for St. Lucia, a historic achievement for the Caribbean nation.
The St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) congratulated Alfred on her win, expressing pride in her accomplishments and the impact she continues to have on young athletes across the island. “We extend heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Julien Alfred on being awarded this remarkable accolade. We hope her continued successes inspire present and future athletes,” the SLOC stated, emphasizing Alfred’s role in representing St. Lucia on the global stage.
With this award, Alfred joins an elite group of Olympic athletes celebrated for their dedication and excellence, marking a significant moment for her career and St. Lucian sports. Her achievements in Paris underscore her status as one of the brightest stars in athletics, inspiring fans worldwide and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Games.
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