rom Maryland to Paris: Thea LaFond’s Golden Journey

MoCo’s Most Famous: Olympic Gold Medalist Thea LaFond

Thea LaFond is a Dominican American track and field athlete specializing in the triple jump. Born on April 5, 1994, in Roseau, Dominica, she moved to Maryland at age 7 and later became a standout athlete at the University of Maryland. Representing Dominica, LaFond made history by winning her country's first-ever Olympic medal—a gold in the triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a national record of 15.02 meters Olympics.

Prior to her Olympic success, LaFond secured gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, setting a national record of 15.01 meters. Her achievements have brought significant recognition to Dominica, a nation with a population of just over 70,000.

LaFond is married to Aaron Gadson, who also serves as her coach. They reside in Maryland, where she previously worked as a special education teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Here is Thea LaFond’s October 2024 interview with Montgomery County Community Media, highlighting her historic achievements and journey as Dominica’s first Olympic gold medalist: Watch the interview.”