Dominica’s Olympic gold medalist Dr. Thea LaFond told graduates of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus on Saturday that her journey to Olympic glory began with disappointment, including finishing last at her first Olympic Games.

Speaking after receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the university’s 2026 graduation ceremony in Antigua and Barbuda, LaFond encouraged graduates to embrace setbacks, adapt to challenges and remain determined to achieve their goals.

“When I entered my very first Olympics at the 2016 Rio Games, I finished dead last,” she told the graduating class.

“But I refused to stay in a situation that led to a disappointing result. I adapted.”

LaFond explained that she changed coaches, adjusted her training arrangements and renewed her determination following the disappointing performance.

Five years later, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she finished 12th, becoming the first Dominican to reach an Olympic athletics final. However, she was still unable to secure a medal.

Rather than give up, she returned to training with a more focused approach.

“I adapted my workouts to be more specific, more calculated, more dangerous,” she said.

Her persistence eventually paid off at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she overcame a damaged knee to win gold in the women’s triple jump, securing Dominica’s first Olympic medal.

“My good people, adapt is my middle name, and my journey to Olympic success was far from smooth,” LaFond told the audience.

The newly honoured doctor said her Olympic success had also placed her in a position to inspire younger generations of Caribbean athletes and demonstrate that competitors from small island nations are capable of achieving greatness.

LaFond expressed pride in receiving the honorary degree in Antigua and Barbuda, describing the occasion as particularly meaningful for regional unity.

“What an honor it is to stand before you today, not only as a recipient of this honorary degree, but as a proud OECS and CARICOM islander, a daughter from the land of 365 rivers, here in the land of 365 beaches,” she said.

She congratulated the graduating class on their academic achievements, acknowledging that their journey had not been easy.

LaFond urged graduates to continue representing the Caribbean with distinction and to use their education and experiences to inspire others.

“Be that light rising from the West, shining bold,” she said.

Her message reinforced the university’s 2026 graduation theme, “Built to Adapt, Ready to Lead.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Dr. Thea LaFond Tells UWI Graduates She Finished Last at First Olympics Before Winning Gold.