The small Caribbean island nation of Dominica has etched its name into the global youth athletics record books, following a breakthrough performance by its two-person national team at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships held in Eugene, Oregon. The Dominica Athletic Association Inc. (DAA Inc.) is hailing this outing as a transformative milestone for the country’s track and field program, marking the first time a Dominican athlete has claimed a medal at the prestigious under-20 global competition.
Leading the historic charge was javelin thrower Addison James, who delivered a standout effort against a stacked field of the world’s top young talent to secure the bronze medal. James’ podium finish cements his status as a rising star in Caribbean athletics and puts Dominica firmly on the map as an emerging competitor in global youth track and field.
Joining James on the delegation was sprinter Kerelle Etienne, who represented Dominica in the women’s 100-meter event. Etienne turned heads with her strong showing, outperforming many elite young runners to advance from the preliminary rounds to the competition’s semi-final. Her run marked another notable achievement for the small delegation, showcasing the depth of emerging talent coming out of the island nation.
The team’s success did not come by accident. In the weeks leading up to the championships, the pair and their head coach Godwin Dorsette completed an intensive, high-performance training camp hosted right in Eugene from July 22 to August 3. During the pre-competition preparation period, the Dominican squad trained side-by-side with fellow Caribbean teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, creating a collaborative environment that elevated all three nations’ preparation efforts.
In a statement following the conclusion of the championships, DAA Inc. celebrated the breakthrough results, noting that the team’s performance sets an inspiring new benchmark for current and future generations of Dominican athletes. The association emphasized that the historic medal and Etienne’s deep run in the sprints demonstrate that Dominica’s presence in international track and field is growing stronger year over year. DAA Inc. officially extended its warmest congratulations to Coach Dorsette, James, and Etienne, adding that it looks forward to watching the young athletes continue their athletic and academic pursuits as they return to their respective schools.