A tale of competition, intrigue, triumph and despair unfolds as the world converges on France for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where years of preparation will be put to the test in two weeks of sporting excellence.
Great game “A great competition” is a fitting motto as 10,500 athletes compete in 329 events across 32 sports.
As Jamaicans say, “we are small but we are mighty,” and despite its small size, the Caribbean nation has earned respect and prestige in the Olympic Games, especially in athletics.
The Caribbean made its presence known at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning 34 medals, 18 of which came in athletics, and while the region has had success outside of athletics, it is likely to win the majority of medals in Paris as well.
With countless Caribbean athletes poised for success and aiming for gold in Paris, here are a few who have a good chance of winning a medal in Paris.
Cuba
Mijain Lopez Nunez (Wrestling)
An indomitable veteran
Paris will be Lopez Nunez’s fifth Olympic Games, and this year he could become the first athlete in history to win five consecutive gold medals, a staggering feat. But he’s battling the one enemy no one can beat: time. At nearly 42 years old, age, fatigue and the pressure of expectation are all working against him. But the Cuban legend can do anything.
Saint Lucia
Julian Alfred (Women’s 100m)
Is the wait over?
This will be St. Lucia’s eighth Olympic Games, but “Helen of the West Indies” has never had Olympic success. In Paris, the long wait may end as Julien-Alfred (22) emerges as a genuine sprinting star. She is no longer just a promising athlete, but a real challenger who has won a gold medal at the World Indoor Championships and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. She is eager to prove she is ready in Paris.
dominican republic
Marileidy Paulino (Women’s 400m)
Barefoot Champion
Marileidy Paulino (27) had every chance of succeeding in handball, but as if by some twist of fate, her switch to athletics sealed her destiny. She has already had a successful career: the first woman from the Dominican Republic to win an individual gold medal, the reigning 400m World Champion, and two silver medals in Tokyo. It’s hard to believe she started running barefoot, but this humble star is hungry for more success in Paris.
Barbados
Sada Williams (Women’s 400m)
Heir to “Long Distance Running”
Sada Williams will become the first Barbadian woman to win a medal at a World Championships and could very well become the first Barbadian woman to win an Olympic medal. The 26-year-old has established herself as a strong contender in the 400 metres, having won bronze medals at the last two World Championships, as well as a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Jamaica
Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sherica Jackson, Elaine Thompson Heller (Track)
Final cheers
They are all household names, with 19 Olympic and 32 World Championship medals to their name. But all things come to an end. Paris will surely be the last time this iconic trio competes together. Fraser-Pryce, 37, acknowledges that it will be her final Olympic appearance. Their younger compatriots (Jackson is 30, Thompson-Heller is 32) will have more history to remember as a new generation prepares to step up. But the whole region will be rooting for Jamaica’s sprint queens, hoping their final joint appearance ends on the podium.
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Nicholas Paul (Cycling)
The Path of Redemption
It would be unfair to put the weight of an entire nation on one man’s shoulders, but Nicholas Paul (25) is used to the pressure. He is not the Islands’ only Olympic contender, but he is certainly the most likely. And Trinidad and Tobago is hungry for a medal after failing to win one at the 2021 Tokyo Games. This would break the record that the Islands have had since Barcelona (1992), winning at least one medal at every Olympic Games. Blessed with incredible speed, the 200m flying world record holder is hoping to translate his success at Pan American, Commonwealth and World Championship levels into Olympic glory.
Bahamas
Stephen Gardiner (Men’s 400m)
Cinderella Man
Stephen Gardiner (28)’s gold medal in the 400 meters in Tokyo proves that he is one of the elite athletes in the sport, especially since he has won silver and gold medals at previous world championships. Since his Olympic success he has been plagued by injuries, but he is now recovered and looking to bounce back with a second gold medal in Paris.
Grenada
Kirani James (Men’s 400m)
Spiceman
Can you imagine having a stadium named after you by the age of 25? It was a fitting tribute to the first and only American Olympic gold medalist. However, at the same age, James was diagnosed with Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disease). This was a major challenge, but it didn’t stop him from achieving success in his sport. At 31 and still in the prime of his career, the “Spiceman” is sure to continue his streak of winning a medal in every Olympic Games he has competed in.
Dominica
Thea Lafond (triple jump)
Leaping Ballerina
When grace and athleticism come together, the result is something special. The Dominican ballerina (30) has switched to triple jumping and has been particularly notable for winning silver and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games. As the first Dominican athlete to win a medal, she cemented her status ahead of Paris with a gold medal at the latest World Indoor Championships.
Puerto Rico
Jasmine Camacho Quinn (100m Hurdles)
More than 200%
Camacho-Quinn, 27, was born and raised in South Carolina but decided to represent her mother’s hometown. She won gold in the 100m hurdles in Tokyo, becoming the second Puerto Rican and the first Afro-Latino to do so. She has also won silver and bronze medals at previous world championships, proving herself a regular on the podium and will be hoping to defend her title in Paris.
Olympic Dreams
Among the Caribbean medal hopefuls, here are some athletes to watch:
Dylan Carter • Trinidad and Tobago • Swimming
Julio Cesar de la Cruz • Cuba • Boxing
Devin Charlton • Bahamas • 100m Hurdles
Lazaro Martinez • Cuba • Triple Jump
Sean Miller Uibo • Bahamas • 200/400m
Hansel Parchment • Jamaica • 110m Hurdles
Leyanis Perez • Cuba • Triple Jump
Anderson Peters • Grenada • Javelin
Wayne Pinnock • Jamaica • Long Jump
Jerem Richards • Trinidad and Tobago • 200/400m
Sheneka Ricketts • Jamaica • Long Jump
