Haiti made a strong impression during the "Special Olympics USA Games 2022" which took place in Florida in Orlando from June 5 to 12, 2022 by winning 11 medals. Recall that these games welcomed some 5,500 athletes from the USA and the Caribbean participating in 19 disciplines.

The delegation of Haitian athletes composed of 22 athletes, 6 coaches and heads of delegation, was competing in 3 disciplines: horse riding, athletics and football,

Horseback riding:

Dressage category (3 medals):

Kétia Jean-Louis (26) won the gold medal

Darlène Milord (34) won the bronze medal

Christaupher Pouloute (20) also won a bronze medal.

Category "English Riding" (5 medals):

Valenta Mérisier (25) won the gold medal

Clothaire Polénus (36) won the silver medal

Darlène Milord, Kétia Jean-Louis and Rose-Thère Antoine, (24) each won a bronze medal.

Team Member:

Velanta Merisier

Darlene Milord

Ketia Jean Louis

Rose Therlie Antoine

Clotaire Polemus

Christopher Pouloute

Women's athletics (100m, 200m, 4x 100m relay):

Race 100 meters hurdle (2 medals)

Vanessa Pierre won the gold medal

Christelle Paul won the silver medal

Team Member:

Widjmy Charles

Renia Joseph

Christine Paul

vanessa stone

Football: (1 medal)

In football, Haiti thanks to the efforts of its unified team (athletes with and without intellectual disabilities) won a bronze medal after losing in its last match [2-1], after two extra time and penalties.

Men's Unified Football Team:

Steevenson Jacquet

Yves Christaupher Banks

Stivenson Joseph

Wilguens Louis-Jacques

Widnerson Saint-Jean

Lionelson Dérézil

Pierre-Richard Voltaire

Anderson Petit Frère

Oriol Jean

Nicholson Fontilus

Peter Mianovich Berlus

Andreas Fritz Kenol

Learn more about the Special Olympics :

Founded in 1968, by Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, "Special Olympics" is an international non-profit organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, while using the sport as a vehicle for this change, also by giving them the opportunity to develop their physical fitness, show courage and share skills with the community. Special Olympics International is the world's largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, with over half a million volunteers, it serves over 5.1 million athletes in 172 countries.

Let's remember that the Special Olympics recognized in 1988 by the International Olympic Committee (not to be confused with the Paralympic Games) take place every 2 years alternately (summer games, winter games). They are aimed at people with mental disabilities aged 8 to 80, the emphasis being on the participation of each rather than on the sporting achievement and aim to allow people with disabilities to thrive through sport.

The motto of the Special Olympics is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt".

BF/ HaitiLibre