Emotional moment Olympic athlete’s brother found out she’d won gold during his Navy football practice

Thea LaFond’s younger brother was told about her historic gold medal midway through his football practice, sparking emotional scenes among the Navy roster.

LaFond claimed gold in the women’s triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first athlete ever to win a medal for Dominica.

Her brother Chreign LaFond, a junior defensive end at the Naval Academy, was unable to watch the event due to his football commitments.

But Navy HC Brian Newberry ensured he was kept up to date with Thea’s fortunes in Paris.

In a heartwarming clip, posted on social media, the coach could be seen pausing practice on Saturday and calling LaFond over.

Thea LaFond’s brother heard about her historic gold medal midway through football practice

LaFond triumphed in the triple jump, winning Dominica’s first ever medal at the Olympics

‘Hey,’ Newberry says in front of the whole team, ‘your sister just won a gold medal bro.’

That prompted wild celebrations among the Navy team and staff, who cheered and mobbed LaFond on the field.

Thea, who triumphed with a jump of 15.02m in Paris, moved to the United States from Dominica at the age of five and now lives in Maryland. 

Following her move to the US, LaFond trained as a dancer.

But she was forced to give up aged 13 because her family could no longer afford lessons. 

She discovered track and field at high school and went to compete at the University of Maryland. 

There are next to no track and field facilities on Dominica and in 2017, 90 percent of homes on the island were damaged by Hurricane Maria, with 31 people dying.

But it wasn’t the only Caribbean island to earn its first Olympic medal on Saturday, with Julien Alfred of St Lucia winning the 100m title.