Lafond Qualifies for Olympic Triple Jump Finals
7/30/2021 1:30:00 PM | Track & Field
Terrapin alumni Thea LaFond competed in the qualifying rounds of the Triple Jump at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this morning. At her second Olympic games, Lafond put in an impressive showing for Dominica, jumping 14.60m. The score is enough to earn an automatic qualification to the Triple Jump finals which will be held on August 1. The 14.60m jump was also a personal best for Lafond, as well as a new national record for the country of Dominica.
Competing for Dominica, Lafond has already put together a number of strong performances, as she has represented her country in the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as the 2018 Commonwealth games. At the Commonwealth games, Lafond became the first Dominican athlete to ever win a medal for her country in the competition, earning a bronze medal in the Triple Jump. She will seek to continue this success on Sunday in the finals of the Triple Jump.
During her time at Maryland, LaFond (class of 2015) had a very successful collegiate career and set the highest ever women's triple jump score in school history (44-02.75), a record that still stands today.
You can follow the Women's Triple Jump finals live on Peacock at 7:20 AM on Sunday, August 1.
