My wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all those who represented Saint Lucia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The outstanding achievements of the entire team will have undoubtedly inspired a new generation of Saint Lucian Olympians, and is a welcome insight into what we can expect to see in the years to come.

In particular I join the nation in celebrating the incredible success of Ms Julien Alfred in securing Saint Lucia’s very first gold medal. Medals aside, I feel very strongly that sporting achievements are measured in many more ways than by positions on leaderboards. To compete at the Olympic Games as one of the world’s greatest athletes is a remarkable achievement in itself, and reflects the many years of dedication, determination and discipline required to represent one’s country at elite level.

The herculean effort of the entire Saint Lucian team, both athletes and support staff, has earned the admiration of people from across the world, my own included.