Trailblazing Eastern Caribbean Olympians honored for historic Olympic triumphs

Eastern Caribbean Olympians have been lauded with one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most prestigious accolades—“Persons of the Year 2024”—by the acclaimed Brooklyn-based publication, Everybody’s Magazine.

This annual honor recognizes the individuals whose achievements have brought unparalleled pride and inspiration to the Caribbean community.

The announcement celebrates six trailblazing athletes who shone brightly at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Julien Alfred (St. Lucia), Thea LaFond-Gadson (Dominica), Lindon Victor, Anderson Peters, Kirani James (Grenada), and Shafiqua Maloney (St. Vincent and the Grenadines).

Record-breaking achievements

Among the honorees is Julien Alfred, who not only earned St. Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal but made it a glittering gold in the 100 meters. Her jaw-dropping time of 10.72 seconds, a new national record, cemented her as a dominant force in athletics.

Dominica’s-Gadson also etched her name in history, seizing gold in the triple jump and becoming her country’s inaugural Olympic medalist. Already the 2024 World Indoor Champion, her triumph in Paris is a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Grenadian decathlete Lindon Victor secured bronze in the 2024 decathlon event, adding to an illustrious career that includes back-to-back Commonwealth Games titles. Fellow Grenadian Anderson Peters, the two-time World Champion in javelin, clinched an Olympic bronze, while Grenada’s legendary sprinter Kirani James continues to redefine excellence with a full set of Olympic medals across three Games: gold in London (2012), silver in Rio (2016), and bronze in Tokyo (2020).

Rounding out the list is Shafiqua Maloney, who narrowly missed a podium finish in the women’s 800 meters but became the first Vincentian athlete to reach an Olympic final. Maloney, who holds national records in her event, epitomizes resilience and determination.

A legacy of inspiration

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Herman Hall, the Grenada-born publisher of Everybody’s Magazine, hailed the Olympians for their contributions to regional pride and global recognition. “All of them enhanced their nations’ stature and inspired the youth of the Caribbean,” Hall remarked.

In an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Hall reflected on the widespread nominations received, including those for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, celebrated Olympian Julien Alfred, and cultural icons like Machel Montano and Beres Hammond.

The magazine also acknowledged Jamaica’s stellar Olympic team, which earned six medals, including one gold, at the Paris Games. Hall noted past honorees like Usain Bolt (2008, 2016), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2019), and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph (2023), highlighting the magazine’s dedication to celebrating excellence in all fields.

A tradition of excellence

Since 1978, Everybody’s Magazine has annually honored individuals or events that resonate deeply with the Caribbean diaspora. While originally termed “Man of the Year” and “Woman of the Year,” the title evolved to reflect inclusivity and collective achievements.

“The Person of the Year reflects what resonates most with our readers,” Hall explained. “For the diaspora, this year belonged to our Olympians and their breath-taking performances.”