The Road to LA28 Begins in Dominica

As we observe our sister Creole-speaking nation, Saint Lucia, launching its campaign in the United Kingdom, there is a powerful lesson for Dominica. Modern tourism is no longer simply about selling hotel rooms, beaches, or attractions. It is about identity. It is about storytelling. It is about connecting a nation's culture, people, achievements, and possibilities to the wider world.

Dominica now has an opportunity to do exactly that.

We are the Nature Island of the Caribbean. We are a Creole-speaking nation with unmatched natural beauty, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, rainforests, culture, music, food, and people. But we are also now the home of an Olympic gold medalist, a Youth World Champion, and a growing generation of student-athletes making their mark across the United States.

That combination is powerful.

Sports tourism represents one of the clearest low-hanging fruits for Dominica's economic future. Across the United States, there are approximately 19 million college students, more than 8 million high school student-athletes, over 540,000 NCAA student-athletes, nearly 2,000 colleges with organized athletics, and more than 600 college radio stations.

This is not just a market. It is a movement waiting to be engaged.

History has already shown us the power of America's college campuses. Bob Marley and reggae music gained major momentum in the United States through college audiences, college radio, and young people who embraced something authentic, powerful, and different. Reggae did not become global by accident. It travelled through culture, youth, campuses, and conviction.

Dominica can use a similar pathway—not to promote music, but to promote our country.

We can invite student-athletes, coaches, teams, universities, and high schools to train in nature, play in nature, learn in nature, and experience Dominica.

Thea LaFond gives us a platform that money cannot buy. Very few Caribbean athletes have been recognized across the NFL, WNBA, NWSL, and NCAA within a single year. Her appearances with the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Mystics, Washington Spirit, and University of Maryland demonstrate the extraordinary reach of one athlete's success.

These are not simply ceremonial moments. They are national opportunities.

The Baltimore Ravens connect Dominica to the NFL, one of the most powerful sports brands in America. The Washington Mystics connect us to the WNBA and the growing influence of women's professional sport. The Washington Spirit connect us to the NWSL and the rapidly expanding world of women's football. The University of Maryland connects us directly to the NCAA, college campuses, student-athletes, alumni, and one of the most important markets for sports tourism.

These relationships provide Dominica with a unique opportunity to leverage sport as a driver of tourism, education, investment, and international visibility leading into the LA28 Olympic Games.

Youth World Champion Trenesse Hamilton also strengthens this story. Her journey through the University of Alabama places Dominica inside one of the most powerful college sports environments in the United States. Alabama is more than a university. It is a sports culture, a media platform, and a gateway to millions of fans, students, alumni, coaches, and athletic decision-makers.

This is where Dominica must think bigger.

Every recognition of a Dominican athlete abroad should also become a recognition of Dominica. Every stadium appearance, university honour, media interview, and sports partnership should carry a national message:

Train in Nature. Play in Nature. Experience Dominica.

Leading into Los Angeles 2028, Dominica should position Thea LaFond, Trenesse Hamilton, and other elite Dominican athletes as part of a national sports ambassador strategy. Their stories can open doors to colleges, high schools, sports conferences, athletic departments, tourism partners, and diaspora communities.

Sports tourism is not only about bringing teams to Dominica. It is about creating scholarships for our young people. It is about developing coaches, referees, sports administrators, media professionals, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, and small businesses. It is about turning national pride into national opportunity.

The new international airport will give Dominica greater access to the world. But access alone is not enough. We must give the world a reason to come.

Sports tourism gives us that reason.

Saint Lucia is moving boldly into the UK market. Dominica can move boldly into America's college and high school sports market. We do not have to copy anyone. We can build something uniquely Dominican—rooted in nature, powered by sport, inspired by Olympic success, and connected to education.

The road to Los Angeles 2028 should not begin in California.

It should begin in Dominica.

Train in Nature. Play in Nature. Experience Dominica.

The Road to LA28 Begins in Dominica.