The 2024 Paris Olympics produced some intriguing moments for many fans around the world with different athletes exploding into life at the world’s biggest stage in France this year.
Some Caribbean athletes were present and made history, departing the competition with their names on the top of the charts in major events across many disciplines.
Here are five Caribbean athletes who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Julien Alfred
23-year-old St Lucia sprinter Julien Alfred announced herself at the Paris Olympics with a stunning performance in the women’s 100m events where she claimed the gold medal, edging USA favorite Sha’Carri Richardson to make history.
She became the first St Lucia athlete to win a medal at the games and is also the national record holder of St Lucia in the 100m events with a 10.72 finish. Alfred also clinched another medal in the women’s 200m events (silver), finishing behind Jamaica-born US sprinter Gabby Thomas.
Alfred, 23, clinched two medals in his first Olympic appearance and had the folks of St Lucia back at home thrilled after achieving such an incredible triumph.
Rebeca Andrade
Rebeca Andrade was one of the major talking points at the Paris 2024 Olympics after she clinched four medals in the gymnastics events while competing with some of the finest athletes in that discipline.
After winning gold in the floor exercise gymnastics events, Andrade secured her sixth medal in the quadrennial competition and her 25th medal in her career for her nation. She also became the eleventh gymnast in history to win a world medal in every event.
Andrade had suffered many injuries in her career but did not relent in her pursuit of glory, and the games reflected her passion towards the sport and for her nation as she became the most decorated Brazilian Olympian of all time.
Mijain Lopez
In the men’s Greco-Roman 130kg wrestling events, Mijain Lopez from Cuba continued his long run of successes, claiming his fifth consecutive gold medal after defeating Yasmati Acosta Fernandez from Chile 6-0 in the final. Lopez became the first athlete and wrestler to secure a gold medal in the same events consistently at five different editions.
Lopez began representing Cuba at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. However, his exploits began in Beijing in 2008 and he has never looked back. He now has 38 medals in his locker and left his wrestling shoes on the mat after his final win, indicating his retirement from the sport in style.
Rojé Stona – Jamaica
Jamaica’s Rojé Stona also made history in the discus throw after taking home the gold medal, setting a new Olympic record of 70.00m. He claimed Jamaica’s first-ever gold medal in the event and their first at the Paris Olympics.
Marileidy Paulino- Dominican Republic
Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic sprinted her way into the history books at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 400m final, smashing the Olympic record with a 48.17s finish.
She did not only grab the gold medal in the women’s 400m but is now the official world record holder and national record holder after her victory at the Games.
Before the games in France this year, Paulino was undefeated in four different meets and extended her record to five this year, securing the gold medal in style this time after winning silver in Tokyo 2020.
