Dominica’s world champion triple jumper, 31-year-old Thea LaFond, secured one of the most influential international track and field positions as she was elected to the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission.
The election results were announced during the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. LaFond earned 1,293 votes to secure one of the six available seats on the Commission for the 2025-2029 term.
Her appointment highlights the high regard and respect she commands from fellow athletes worldwide and confirms her as a champion on the field and a trusted advocate off it.
The news adds to a triumphant week for LaFond, who also won a silver medal in Tokyo, signalling her powerful return to top form after surgery last year.
Billy Doctrove, president of the Dominica Olympic Association, celebrated LaFond’s achievement.
“I want to first congratulate Thea on her silver medal performance, which shows that she is well on her way back,” Doctrove said.
“I also would like to congratulate her on her election as a member of the Athletes’ Commission of World Athletics. I think it’s a major appointment for Thea and Dominica.”
The Athletes’ Commission is a crucial body within World Athletics, ensuring that competitors’ voices are directly heard.
Since 2019, the Commission’s Chair and another member have held full voting rights on the World Athletics Council, the sport’s primary decision-making body.
LaFond was elected alongside five other athletes: Andreas Almgren (Sweden), Lia Apostolovski (Slovenia), Lisanne de Witte (Netherlands, re-elected), Anna Ryzhykova (Ukraine, re-elected), and Gia Trevisan (Italy).
The election saw a record participation rate of 95.5% from accredited athletes.
For LaFond, this appointment enhances her global platform as she continues to excel on the world stage, with expectations high for her performance at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
