The Government of Dominica is to award national athlete Thea Lafond for her performance at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships (NACAC).
At the Commonwealth Games, Lafond won silver in the Women’s Triple Jump Final and at NACAC, she won gold in the same category.
Speaking at the opening of parliament on Monday morning, prime minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, said Lafond will be awarded EC$200,000.
“I want to say to the country, that the Government of Dominica as a recognition of our appreciation and our congratulations and commendation to Thea Lafond for having won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and now the gold medal,” he said. “The Government of Dominica will give her a gift, a monetary gift of EC$200,000.”
The promised more if Lafond wins a gold at the Olympic Games.
He stated the island celebrates the athlete and her commitment to sports.
“We in this country is certainly appreciative of her efforts and we wish to encourage others to follow in her direction,” Skerrit said.
Meanwhile, Lafond told state-owned DBS Radio that she appreciates the gesture, saying she was shocked by the news.
“The first thing I did was honestly cry, I was so thankful,” she said.
OSAR
