Dominica’s Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from The University of the West Indies (UWI) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to sport.
LaFond-Gadson is among 13 honorary graduands selected for 2026, with the honours approved by the UWI Council. This year’s recipients
are being recognized for achievements across several fields, including journalism, diplomacy, medicine, agriculture, law, public service,
culture, sport, and music.
The distinction adds to a growing list of national and international recognition for LaFond-Gadson, who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by securing Dominica’s first-ever Olympic medal.
Competing in the women’s triple jump, she produced a national-record leap of 15.02 metres to capture the gold medal. The achievement established her as the first Olympic champion from Dominica and further cemented her place in the sporting history of the Caribbean.
Born in Dominica and raised in Maryland following a move to the United States with her family at the age of five, LaFond-Gadson initially spent several years pursuing dance before discovering athletics at John F.Kennedy High School.
She subsequently attended the University of Maryland on a full scholarship, becoming a multiple-time conference champion and All-American while setting a university record in the women’s triple jump. In 2024, she also claimed Dominica’s first World Indoor Championship title with a 15.01-metre effort, despite subsequently learning that she had sustained a serious knee injury.
LaFond-Gadson’s Olympic success and continued representation of Dominica have earned her additional national recognition, including
appointments as National Sports Ambassador and Destination Brand Ambassador.
The UWI honorary degrees will be presented during the university’s 2026 graduation ceremonies, scheduled to take place between October
10 and November 14, 2026.
Her honorary doctorate recognizes not only her accomplishments on the athletics field but also her determination, resilience, and role in raising Dominica’s profile on the international sporting stage.
