Tokyo Olympics 2020: Thea LaFond fails to secure a medal for Dominica

Thea Lafond- Dominican triple jumper who qualified for finals at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 finished her jump at 12.57 metres. She could not secure herself a medal; however, Lafond broke a national record during the semi-finals on Friday.

Even though Lafond could not secure a medal for Dominica, Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit declared on Friday during the budget address that she would be honoured whether she wins or loses.

Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela topped the triple jump with a distance of 15.41 metres, followed by Portugal's Patrícia Mamona at 14.91 m, Spain's Ana Peleteiro at 14.77 metres.

Other Caribbean athletes, including Cuba's Liadagmis Povea, Jamaica's

Shanieka Ricketts and Kimberly Williams also performed well during the finals, with Povea and Ricketts securing a place at the top ten longest jumps.

Dominica was eagerly anticipating for LaFond to be at the podium. Even though she could not get a medal home, she did her best and broke national records.

Thea Noeliva LaFond was born on April 5, 1994. Earlier, LaFond also contested at the Summer Olympics 2016 at the women's triple jump with 12.82 meters in the qualifying round, but she could not qualify for the finale.

LaFond also holds the Maryland record in the women's triple jump and competing at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 marked her third time representing her country.

Thea Lafond had created history by becoming the first-ever medalist in 2018 when she won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. Lafond is one of the two athletes representing the small Caribbean island at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She was also the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.

The games were delayed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, however this year after a lot of criticism the olympics took place at Tokyo. All athletes were protected in a bubble.