Chreign LaFond missed watching his sister clinch Olympic gold, yet he still experienced a celebration of a lifetime.
LaFond plays as a defensive end for Navy, while his sister Thea proudly represented the Dominican Republic in the women’s triple jump event in Paris.
On Saturday, Thea triumphed in the competition, securing the Caribbean nation its very first Olympic medal, a historic gold.
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Gold medalist Thea Lafond of Team Dominica celebrates after the Women’s Triple Jump Final during day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France.
(Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Chreign was at practice when Thea was competing, but head coach Brian Newberry broke the news to him.
“Hey, your sister just won a gold medal,” Newberry announced.
He was then surrounded by his ecstatic teammates.
Thea had also triumphed at the world indoor championships earlier in March, establishing her as the athlete to beat.
Women’s Triple Jump gold medalist Thea LaFond of Team Dominican Republic poses with her medal at Champions Park on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, on Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France.
(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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“It’s hard to express how significant this is,” Thea commented after her victory regarding the long-awaited medal for the Dominican Republic. “Sometimes, you question whether being from a smaller country limits your access to resources. … We’ve consistently focused on (prioritizing) quality and execution.”
Now 30, Thea was born in the Dominican Republic but moved to the U.S. at age 5. Her younger brother was born in the United States and attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. The Paris Games marked her third appearance at the Olympics.
Before she ventured into athletics, Thea was a dancer but switched to track as a teenager due to financial constraints on dance lessons.
She achieved a jump of 15.02 meters on her second attempt, which secured her victory. Shanieka Ricketts from Jamaica claimed silver with 14.87, while Jasmine Moore from the U.S. earned bronze with 14.67.
Gold medalist Thea Lafond of Team Dominica, silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts of Team Jamaica, and bronze medalist Jasmine Moore of Team United States celebrate after the Women’s Triple Jump Final during day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France.
(Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Chreign has participated in seven games throughout his career and is set to enter his junior season this year.
Navy recorded a 5-7 record last season, going 4-4 in AAC play. They will commence their 2024 season on August 31 against Bucknell.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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