With their country in crisis, Haitian athletes aim to showcase resilience at Olympics

As the Paris Olympics approach, Haitian athletes have one eye on their country in crisis, and the other eye on the Paris Olympics.

Haiti has never sent a male gymnast to the Olympics in the 124 years since it began competing in the games. But Pierre Yevenel Stephan plans to change that. 

“Being the first Haitian gymnast, this is still Haiti’s first participation in the Olympic Games in this discipline, and it would be an honor for me to take part and go down in the history of my sport and my country,” Stephan, 24, said in an interview.

Stephan is charting a path toward Olympic competition this summer, which began with a packed schedule of international tournaments for the last two years, while wearing his home country’s uniform. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/country-crisis-haitian-athletes-aim-showcase-resilience-olympics-rcna153379

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