The 2024 Summer Paralympic Games are taking place in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8, 2024. Among the 168 delegations participating in this 17th edition, the Haitian Paralympic Committee is represented by a delegation of two athletes: Ywenson Registre in shot put and Saraphina Delusme in athletics.
The recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris featured seven Haitian athletes: Lynnzee Brown, Christopher Borzor, Alexandre Succès Grand'Pierre, Mayah Ruth Chouloute, Jean-Philippe Mettelus, Emilia Andrea Chatfield, and Cédric-Belony Dulièpre. Now, attention turns to the Paralympic Games, which, although not featuring the same number of Haitian participants, will still see Haiti represented by two athletes: Ywenson Registre in shot put and Saraphina Delusme in athletics.
In the heart of Paris, on the Champs-Elysées and at Place de la Concorde, thousands of spectators attended the opening ceremony of the 17th Summer Paralympic Games. The delegations paraded successively, showcasing a vibrant display of colors that highlighted their cultures, similar to the Olympics. Haiti's representatives entered 63rd in the procession, just ahead of Honduras. They were dressed in blue and white, adorned with bands in the colors of the Haitian flag. The Haitian flag bearer was athlete Ywenson Registre.
Saraphina Delusme, the only female athlete in the Haitian delegation, will compete in the 200-meter race (T35) on September 1st, starting at 7:00 PM. She has gained valuable experience that may help her advance past the first stage. Ywenson Registre will represent Haiti in the shot put (F57) event, which begins on September 6th at 7:00 PM.
In addition to the athletes, the Haitian delegation includes Vanessa Estimé, Chief of Mission; Jocelyne Desrivières, athletics coach; Dr. Oda Mukkuaka, team doctor; Ereste Nestor, special guest; and Readforby Milfort, President of the Haitian Paralympic Committee.
While Haiti may not be at the top level of preparation and still has a long way to go, whenever the opportunity arises to raise the national flag on the international stage, our athletes consistently rise to the occasion, eager to make their mark around the world. This year at the Paralympic Games in France, Ywenson Registre and Saraphina Delusme are the athletes striving to do just that.