August 30, 2024
The Caribbean has concluded the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with an impressive combined haul of 23 medals, leaving sports fans across the region and its diasporas beaming with pride. Athletes from seven Caribbean nations showcased their exceptional talent, contributing to this remarkable achievement.
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Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia became the world’s fastest woman at the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Li Gang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Leading the region’s medal tally was Cuba, which earned eight medals, including two gold, one silver, and five bronze. Cuban boxer Erislandy Alvarez Borges clinched gold in the Men’s 63.5kg boxing match, while Mijain Lopez Nunez secured gold in the Men’s Greco-Roman 130kg wrestling. Other notable performances from Cuba include Gabriel Alejandro Rosillo Kindelan’s bronze in the Men’s Greco-Roman 97kg wrestling, Arlen Lopez Cardona’s bronze in the Men’s 80kg boxing, and Yusneylis Guzman Lopez’s silver in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg swimming. Additional bronze medals were won by Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys in the Women’s Canoe Single 200-m, Rafael Alba in the Men’s Taekwondo +80kg, and Luis Alberto Orta Sanchez in the Men’s Greco-Roman 67kg.
Gold Medalist Erislandy Alvarez Borges of Team Cuba with his gold medal on the podium as the Cuban national anthem plays during the Boxing Men’s 63.5kg medal ceremony after the Boxing Men’s 63.5kg Final match on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Jamaica followed closely with six medals: one gold, three silver, and two bronze. The nation celebrated its first gold medal on August 7, thanks to Roje Stona’s victory in the Men’s Discus Throw. Earlier, silver medals were earned by Kishane Thompson in the Men’s 100m, Wayne Pinnock in the Men’s Long Jump, and Shanieka Ricketts in the Women’s Triple Jump. Jamaica also took home bronze medals from Rajindra Campbell in the Men’s Shot Put and Rasheed Broadbell in the Men’s 110m Hurdles.
Roje Stona of Team Jamaica poses with his Gold medal from the Men’s Discus Throw on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
St. Lucia made history by winning its first-ever Olympic medals, both earned by Julien Alfred. She captured gold in the Women’s 100m, claiming the title of the World’s Fastest Woman on August 3, and followed up with a silver in the Women’s 200m.
Dominica also secured its first Olympic medal, a gold, won by Thea LaFond in the Women’s Triple Jump.
The Dominican Republic celebrated a successful campaign, with Marileidy Paulino taking gold in the Women’s 400m. Yunior Alcantara Reyes and Cristian Javier Pinales added to the tally with bronze medals in the Men’s 51kg and Men’s 80kg boxing matches, respectively, bringing the country’s total to three medals.
Grenada’s athletes earned two bronze medals: Lindon Victor in the Men’s Decathlon and Anderson Peters in the Men’s Javelin Throw.
Puerto Rico also contributed to the Caribbean‘s medal count with Jasmine Camacho-Quinn securing bronze in the Women’s 100m Hurdles.
As the Olympics draw to a close on August 11, the Caribbean can take great pride in the achievements of its athletes, who have once again demonstrated their prowess on the world stage. The closing ceremony, featuring performances by Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, will begin at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, with an encore telecast available for U.S. viewers during prime time.
