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Chreign LaFond’s Navy teammates celebrate sister Thea’s Olympic gold medal win

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels08/03/24ChandlerVessels
thea lafond
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Navy defensive tackle Chreign LaFond celebrated with his teammates Saturday after his sister, Thea, secured gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Thea LaFond became the first person from the Caribbean island nation of Dominica to win an Olympic gold with a national record 15.02 meters (49.28 feet) in the women’s triple jump.

Chreign LaFond was made aware of the news during practice on Saturday as his coaches and teammates celebrated the moment with him. You can view the video capturing that below.

Seemingly the entire team got in on the celebration as cheers rung out and they surrounded Chreign LaFord. Thea LaFord’s jump was just 0.15 meters farther than the 14.87 meters from second-place participant Shanieka Ricketts of Jamaica.

Chreign LaFond is preparing to enter his third season with the Midshipmen after appearing in seven games this past year. He finished the year with just two tackles in limited action.

Thea LaFond achieved the winning jump in the third round.

“We always said it takes one jump,” she said according to the official Olympic report. Second jump at Indoor Worlds was the big one. Second jump outdoors at the Olympics was the big one, that’s what it took. The rain was kind of in my favor, it came down as soon as I was done with that second jump – thank you God for working with me.”

She also added her thoughts on becoming the first gold medalist for her country.

“At this point, every time I step on the track is an honor, bearing the flag is an honour, being Dominican is an honor,” he explained. “Representing a country with only 70,000 people and being out here and getting their first medal, a gold, is an honor. In all things, give thanks.”

Team USA member Jasmine Moore took bronze in the event.

 “Just to see my family, see my parents… my whole family’s out here and it’s definitely a lot different from Tokyo,’ Moore said. “I’m just super thankful, it was just super special tonight. I’m just so overwhelmed with emotion. I’m just very thankful for this medal, it’s my first one.”