Olympic alumnus

Thad Lettsome, a 2024 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and a Minor in Design, competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris for sailing, specifically the men’s one-person dinghy laser representing the British Virgin Islands. He also served as one of the two flag bearers for his home country during the Parade of Nations at the 2024 Paris Olympic Ceremony.

Thad was interviewed by Tulane Athletics about being selected for the Olympic team. Below is a portion of that story:

Senior Thad Lettsome will represent the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the Paris Olympic Games after securing a Universality Place. Lettsome will become the first BVI sailor to compete at an Olympic Games since 1996.

"I'm always excited to represent the BVI at any event but I'm now even more excited to have the opportunity to do it on the biggest stage," Lettsome said.  

In May the BVI Olympic Committee received and accepted an official invitation from the Tripartite Commission in collaboration with World Sailing, for the allocation of a Universality Place at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games to BVI's ILCA 7 (Laser) sailor, Lettsome.

"We are all incredibly proud of Thad, knowing how hard he has worked his entire youth career to get to this moment," Tulane Head Coach Charles Higgins said. "To be an Olympic athlete is something that so few people can claim as an accomplishment, and I know this achievement is something Thad does not take lightly. This is well deserved, and more importantly, well earned on his part. Thad has a very passionate fan base here with the Green Wave, and we can't wait to cheer him on in Paris!"

The Green Wave senior was one of three sailors eligible for the two available spots for the Universality Place. In April, Lettsome placed 31 out of 61 sailors at The Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France, to edge up his rankings.

A combined Instagram post from the BVI (British Virgin Island Committee) and Lettsome stated:

"The BVI Olympic Committee today received and accepted an official invitation from the Tripartite Commission in collaboration with World Sailing, for the allocation of a Universality Place at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games to BVI’s ILCA7 (Laser) sailor, Thad Lettsome. At 22 years old, Lettsome becomes the first BVI sailor to compete at an Olympic Games since 1996 when 2x Olympian Robby Hirst competed in the Laser event at the Atlanta Games."

For more about Lettsome and his Olympic journey, read Tulane Athletics' stories from May 2024 and July 2024.