“5,000 Notifications in 24 Hours”: World Champion Thea LaFond Speaks on Life After Adding Caribbean Country on World Athletics Map

Athletes all around the world are honing their craft ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and stopped at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in the best possible shape. Taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime chance, Thea LaFond, the incredible triple jumper from the charming Caribbean island of Dominica, established herself as a formidable competitor on the world stage. The 29-year-old eagerly awaited the results of the 19th World Indoor titles to see whether any rivals could match her incredible achievement only to take gold with enormous pride.

Now, days later, looking at her incredible professional career chasing the record, the Dominican athlete detailed her fans’ reaction to newfound fame and how her phone was blowing up with congratulatory messages and adulation galore.

Thea LaFond profoundly describes post-feat moments

Thea LaFond won gold in the women’s triple jump at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, creating history in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. She even struck a wholesome reaction upon learning the final scores—covering half her face with her hands in shock, subsequently disclosed what followed next in an interview with SportsMax TV titled ‘She is Dominica’s 1st global athletics gold medallist.’ LaFond said, “It has been quite wild… my phone has been going, just insane. I think in 24 hours, I had over 5000 notifications across the board.”

In addition to setting a record for the fastest indoor jumper in history, the Dominican phenomenon also became the first female World medalist from her country leaping 15.01-m in the Women’s Triple Jump Final. Sharing what it meant on a personal note, she said, “Now there is just more of a sense of peace, working not only towards my first global goals but also the 15-meter mark for years. To finally accomplish that is an amazing feeling, not only for my country but also looking down the road to that big event happening this summer in Paris.”

LaFond represented Dominica after moving to Maryland during high school and later went to the University of Maryland. Early on, she gained experience from her multi-disciplined, focused NCAA career. The competent multitasker juggled the 2016 Rio Olympics and World Championships with her teaching duties. Later, became the first Dominican to win a medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, followed by qualifying for her first Olympic final in Tokyo. LaFond previously placed fourth with a jump of 14.53 meters at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade. With Paris medals added to her next milestone list, she’s currently taking some time off.

Dominican icon shares next plans

When asked: “Are you taking some time or is it full Olympic mode right now?” LaFond said, “I am currently taking some time. I’m giving myself a week break, and so far, it has been quite busy with interviews and just trying to get back to everyone who’s been so kind and all the kind words on social media.”

READ MORE “This One Is for My People”: Thea LaFond Becomes Voice of Another Caribbean Island on World Athletics Map

However, she conversely stated that, “It would be ridiculous of me not to know that there is an Olympics coming this year, and that is the main focus. So I will give myself a week to enjoy it, and then come next week, we are back on that grind, back on that focus.” Like any other strong competitor, LaFond is intent on adding Olympic victory to her resume in the future.

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