‘One Caribbean, one love’: Unheralded island nations shine in track and field at the Paris Olympics

Track and field fans are used to seeing Jamaican athletes on the medal stand at the Olympics. In Paris, other Caribbean nations have introduced themselves and their countries to the world.

“It was just our turn, man,” said Thea LaFond, whose gold in the triple jump was the first Olympic medal for her island, Dominica. “It kind of becomes like truly a family. When we say one Caribbean, one love; one Caribbean, one love.”

Sure, Jamaica has six medals — most of them for its unexpected field success — but the medals this time have also come from St. Lucia, Dominica and Grenada.

And the Caribbean athletes in track and field definitely have a kinship.

“You know, ‘One Caribbean always,’” Julien Alfred of St. Lucia said. “When one Caribbean athlete wins, the whole Caribbean celebrates.”

Alfred got things started by upsetting American favorite Sha’carri Richardson in the 100 meters to earn St. Lucia’s first Olympic medal on the same night of LaFond’s victory. Then she added a second with silver in the 200.