HAITI-
Prospery Raymond-
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games offered a unique spectacle, blending tradition and modernity. The decision to hold the opening ceremony on the Seine, in the heart of Paris, marked a break with traditional ceremonies in stadiums. This bold choice highlighted the city’s architectural heritage and offered an unforgettable spectacle to billions of viewers.
The opening ceremony, stretching over 6 kilometers through the heart of the French capital, left its mark. With dizzying numbers: 3,000 artists; 10,500 athletes; 326,000 spectators on site and more than a billion viewers on TV and social networks. Despite the bad weather, thousands of artists and participants offered a breathtaking show, celebrating diversity and the Olympic legacy.
The athletes from the delegations of all the competing countries, carrying their flags, take their places on Bateaux Mouches, barges and other boats of different sizes that follow one another on the Seine; these 85 boats of varying capacity transport one or more sports delegations, depending on the composition of each. The name of each country is then displayed on a purple banner, in French on the visible side on the starboard side and in English on the port side, placed next to the delegations who greet enthusiastically despite the rain from which many protect themselves with transparent capes.
The participation of Céline Dion and the presence of Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner as the last torchbearers added to the emotion of the event. Strong symbols, such as the silver horse representing Joan of Arc and the Olympic cauldron (a masterpiece of innovation) linking past and present, reinforced the emotion of the ceremony.
A ceremony marked by controversy
While the ceremony was widely praised, some sequences sparked debate. The artistic choices, including the tribute to Marie-Antoinette and the representation of diversity, divided public opinion. These controversies highlighted the challenges of representing history and culture in an event of international scope.
Haiti in the spotlight
For Haitians, these Games were a source of immense pride. The Haitian delegation, dressed in outfits designed by Stella Jean, stood out for its elegance and originality. Inspired by Haitian art, including the work of Philippe Dodard, these outfits highlighted the country’s cultural wealth. They also attracted the admiration of the international community, even winning distinctions in the specialized press.
An Olympic legacy to rediscover
The Paris 2024 Games were an opportunity to (re)discover the history of Haitian participation in the Olympic Games. Constantin Henriquez, originally from Port-de-Paix in northwestern Haiti, was celebrated as the first black and first Haitian to compete in the Games in 1900. He won a gold medal with the French rugby team, paving the way for black participation in the sport at a time when racism was rife. Two other Haitians also competed in the 1900 Games: Léon Thiercelin from Pétion-Ville and André Corvington from Les Cayes, both in fencing. Upon his return to Haiti, Henriquez introduced football to the country and became the first president of the Haitian Olympic Committee. Haiti has competed in 14 Summer Olympics but has never competed in the Winter Games. The country has won two medals in its Olympic history: a bronze in team shooting in 1924 and a silver in long jump in 1928.
In 1924, Haiti sent a delegation of eleven athletes and two officials to Paris. The men’s shooting team, composed of Astrel Rolland, Destin Destine, Eloi Metullus, Ludovic Augustin and Ludovic Valborge, made history by becoming the first Haitian Olympic medalists. They won bronze in the team free rifle event on June 27, 1924.
Four years later, at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Sylvio Cator won the silver medal in long jump. Originally from Cavaillon in southern Haiti and a former footballer for Racing Club Haïtien, Cator became mayor of Port-au-Prince in 1946. He died in 1952, the same year that the stadium bearing his name was inaugurated.
Other Haitian athletes have also marked the country’s Olympic history. André Théard, from a family in southern Haiti, competed in the 1924, 1928 and 1932 Games in sprints (100m and 200m). René Ambroise, from Jacmel in the southeast, competed in the Berlin Games in 1936. Although they did not win medals, these athletes paved the way for many generations of athletes.
These Olympic feats, celebrated at the time and recently revived on social media, are a testament to Haiti’s rich sporting history and contribution to the Olympic Games.
It is also worth noting that athletes of Haitian origin have shone under the flags of other nations. Among them, Jennifer Abel, who won two medals for Canada in synchronized diving in London and Rio. Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, had the honour of being the last torchbearer and lighting the cauldron at the Tokyo 2020 Games. More recently, at the Paris 2024 Games, Ilionis Guillaume is representing France in athletics, while Fred Richard, a Haitian-American, is part of the US gymnastics team. These performances illustrate the influence of Haitian talent on the international Olympic stage.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games welcome a diverse and promising Haitian delegation. Athletes representing Haiti include:
• Lynnzee Brown, a rising star in gymnastics
• Philippe-Abel Metellus, the “Champion of the Tatami” in judo
• Christopher Borzor, nicknamed “the Caribbean Lightning” on the sprint track
• Cedrick-Belony Duliepre, the “Velvet Fist” in the boxing arena
• Maya Chouloute, a young swimming prodigy
• Alexandre Grand’Pierre, considered the “King of the 100 meters” in swimming
• Emelia Chatfield, the “Sprinteuse Lumineuse” on the athletics track
This diverse team embodies Haiti’s hope and athletic talent on the international Olympic stage.
Untapped potential and future prospects
Despite these individual successes, Haiti has a sporting potential that is still largely untapped. To allow the country to shine on the Olympic stage, the Haitian Olympic Committee must implement an ambitious strategy. This strategy must be structured around several axes:
• Development of local talents: It is essential to identify and train young Haitian talents, by offering them quality training infrastructures and suitable sports supervision.
• Improvement of sports infrastructures: The construction and renovation of sports infrastructures are essential to allow Haitian athletes to train in optimal conditions.
• Strengthening partnerships: The Haitian Olympic Committee must strengthen its partnerships with international federations, governments and private companies in order to obtain the necessary funding to implement its projects.
• Promotion of Olympic values: It is important to promote Olympic values (excellence, friendship, respect) among Haitian youth in order to inspire vocations and develop a high-level sports culture.
Finally, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were a source of inspiration for the world and should be for Haiti. By showcasing the talent and determination of the athletes and the hope of seeing Haitian athletes shine in the future, these Games can open new perspectives for Haitian sport. It is now up to each Haitian to get involved so that future generations can write new glorious pages of Haitian sport both in Haiti and in international competitions.