Shanieka Ricketts, triple jump athlete and Jamaica’s flag bearer, brought the island one of its first medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games last Saturday (August 3).

She achieved a season-best jump of 14.87 metres in her spectacular silver medal effort. 

The 32-year-old St Thomas native is the first Jamaican woman to medal in the triple jump at the Olympic level. An alumna of Vere Technical High, Ricketts matriculated to San Diego State University where she won three NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014.

First representing Jamaica in 2008 in the under-17 category at the CARIFTA Games in St. Kitts, Shanieka was destined for greatness after winning her first gold medal and continued her success in the under-20 category at CARIFTA for the high jump and finished fourth for the triple jump.

Despite challenges in her season leading up to the Paris Olympics, Ricketts was hopeful for a medal after finishing fourth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Shanieka serves as a role model to budding field athletes like Ackelia Smith. She told CNW News: “I remember when she was at Edwin Allen High School, I had the privilege of speaking to her at a track meet and shared a few tips. She’s here, she’s competing with me.”

“To know that when I decide to move away from the sport, it’s in safe hands, that means a lot to me.”

Ricketts made history along with Thea Lafond who won Dominica’s first Olympic gold medal.

Celebrating eight years of marriage with her husband and coach, Kerrylee Ricketts, she dedicated an Instagram post to her accomplishment saying ‘Hard work pays off again. Give thanks’.

Coming a long way from her first Olympic games in Rio 2016, Shanieka Ricketts will soon become a household name and she will remind Jamaicans of our prowess in events outside of track races.