From Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada to Haiti and beyond, the Caribbean is renowned for producing world-class athletes who dominate the international sports scene. As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics approach (from July 26th to August 11th), the region’s top talents are gearing up to shine on the global stage once again. Sprinters, swimmers, tennis players, and even weightlifters — these athletes embody the spirit of excellence and determination. Keep an eye on these incredible eight Caribbean athletes as they strive for glory and continue to elevate their islands’ proud sporting heritage.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica | Track and Field
Erik van Leeuwen, via Wikimedia Commons
A well-known legend in sprinting, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce continues to be a formidable force on the track. At 37, the “Pocket Rocket” shows no signs of slowing down in Paris, despite an announcement that this Olympics will be her last before retirement. With multiple Olympic gold medals to her name, Fraser-Pryce aims to further solidify her legacy in the 100m and 200m events. Her incredible speed and experience make her a strong contender for the podium in Paris, and with fellow “Big Three” sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah out with an achilles injury, there are even more eyes on Fraser-Pryce and teammade Shericka Jackson to bring home gold for Jamaica.
Kirani James | Grenada | Track and Field
André Zehetbauer from Schwerin, Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kirani James, the pride of Grenada as the first and only Olympic medalist of the island, is another athlete to watch closely. Known for his prowess in the 400m, “The Jaguar” has previously won Olympic gold in London in 2012 and silver in Rio in 2016. After a challenging period dealing with the confirmed onset of Graves’ disease, he surprised fans and returned to form with a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020. James’ resilience and competitive spirit will be key as he seeks to add a fourth medal to his collection in Paris with new coach Chris Lawrence. His former coach Harvey Glance passed away in June 2023.
Dylan Carter | Trinidad and Tobago | Swimming
Next stop San Diego 🛸
Photo from Dylan Carter on Facebook
Dylan Carter is a versatile swimmer from Trinidad and Tobago, competing in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly events. Carter has represented his country in multiple international competitions, like the 2021 World Short Course Championships where he became the first Trinbagonian swimmer to win a silver medal in the 50 meter butterfly. He made his first appearance in Rio in 2016 and also competed in Tokyo 2020 without taking home any medals, so he’s looking to make a significant impact as he heads to Paris after breaking the Olympic standard of 48.34 seconds in the men’s 100m freestyle by .10 seconds at the 2023 TYR Pro Swim Series in Ft Lauderdale, cinching his qualification for Paris.
Jean-Julien Rojer | Curaçao | Tennis
Jean-Julien Rojer, representing the Netherlands but originally from Curaçao, is a top-ranked doubles tennis player. With multiple Grand Slam titles to his name, Rojer’s expertise and experience in doubles make him a formidable competitor in the Olympic tennis tournament. Despite not placing higher than 9th since his first Olympic appearance in London in 2012, he will look to add an Olympic medal to his impressive career achievements in Paris.
Yohan Blake | Jamaica | Track and Field
Nick Webb from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yohan Blake, the 2011 World Champion in the 100m, remains a key figure in Jamaican athletics. After Usain Bolt’s retirement in 2017 after the Rio Olympics, Blake stepped into the spotlight as a leader of the new generation of sprinters. Although he has faced challenges with hamstring injuries, Blake’s experience and determination make him a strong contender for a medal in the 100m in Paris, which he has publicly stated will be his final Olympics.
Andre De Grasse | Canada | Track and Field
Erik van Leeuwen, via Wikimedia Commons
While competing for team Canada, Andre De Grasse’s roots trace back to Trinidad and Tobago on his mother’s side, and he proudly represents the Caribbean diaspora. De Grasse is known as the “fastest man in Canada” and won gold in the men’s 200m, and bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay and the men’s 100m in Tokyo 2020. In Rio 2016, his first Olympic games, he stood out with silver in the 200m and two bronze medals again in the 100m and 4x100m relay. His remarkable speed and consistency make him a favorite in both the 100m and 200m sprints for his showing in Paris.
Steven Gardiner | The Bahamas | Track and Field
By Filip Bossuyt, Flickr, via Wikimedia Commons
Steven Gardiner, the reigning Olympic gold champion in the 400m, is another star from The Bahamas. Known for his smooth and powerful running style, Gardiner has consistently been at the top of his game. In a devastating turn at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Gardiner suffered a tendon sprain and collapsed during his semi-final heat, abruptly ending his Budapest campaign. However he is back to full health, looking forward to defending his title in Paris 2024 and continuing The Bahamas’ tradition of success in track and field.
Julien Alfred | Saint Lucia | Track and Field
Erik van Leeuwen, via Wikimedia Commons
Julien Alfred is a rising star in Caribbean athletics, known for her speed in the sprints. Hailing from Saint Lucia, Alfred has made significant strides on the international stage, particularly in the 100m and 200m events. With her recent successes in the collegiate circuit and her gold medal in the 60m event at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, Alfred is poised to make a big impact in Paris and possibly secure her, and Saint Lucia’s, first Olympic medal.
From seasoned champions to emerging stars, these athletes embody the spirit and resilience of the Caribbean and will undoubtedly inspire millions as they compete on the world’s biggest stage.
