History-making Haitian swimmer Naomy Grand Pierre said she was encouraged by last week’s turn out at a Meet and Greet in Atlanta to raise funds for her country’s swim programme.
The meet and greets were planned by an organisation known as the Sons and Daughters of Haiti to raise money over US$100,000 to send Haitian swim teams to the CCCAN Swimming Championships in 2019 and 2020, as well as the Carifta Swimming Championships and the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The 22-year-old swimmer created history at the 2016 Rio Olympics when she became the first Haitian woman to represent the country at an Olympiad. An estimated US$3000 was pledged during the Atlanta event and Grand’Pierre described it as a moving experience.
“It’s one thing to know that you have support from a community, but it’s another to see and feel support and that’s what this meet and greet provided,” she said of the event where new partnerships with Carribean Apparel uniforms as well as five per cent revenue contributions from Itiah Coffee and Abdalia’s Designs were announced.
“It was really touching for me to see the Haitian community engaged in our efforts to change the state of our country. It has given me the motivation I need to continue, even on the hard days, because Haitians from all over are counting on us to provide a source of hope for progress and development in the country.
“We recapped the efforts for the Road to Rio and recognized notable members and contributions that made that journey possible. We also updated the progress - six international medals, 17 registered athletes and 19 Haitian records in three years.”
Following on that success, three additional events have been planned for Miami, Chicago and Boston in the coming weeks.
Miami’s event will be held at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex on May 31. Then on June 13 another such event has been scheduled for the Kizin Creole Restaurant in Chicago on June 13. Another is set for Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Boston on June 29.
Further information can be had at haitiroadtotokyo.com.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Frank de Boer backtracks on 'ridiculous' equal pay comment
Frank de Boer has backtracked on his equal pay comment after he said it was "ridiculous" the United States women's national team expect to be paid the same as their male counterparts.
Women's World Cup winners USA, who beat Netherlands in last month's final, continue to be embroiled in a battle for equal pay with U.S. Soccer.
Atlanta United coach De Boer said he is a champion of women's soccer and indicated he regrets his choice of words during an interview with the Guardian.
“I think for me, it’s ridiculous. It's the same like tennis," De Boer said to the newspaper. "If there are watching, for the World Cup final, 500 million people or something like that, and 100 million for a women's final, that's a difference. So it's not the same.
"And of course, they have to be paid what they deserve to and not less, just what they really deserve. If it's just as popular as the men, they will get it, because the income and the advertising will go into that.
"But it's not like that, so why do they have to earn the same? I think it's ridiculous. I don't understand that."
De Boer, however, has now clarified his comments.
"Especially the word ridiculous," he said. "It's a hard word if I read that word only. If you see the whole context, I was very clear that I always promote women's soccer."
USA star Megan Rapinoe has been one of the most vocal athletes to speak out against the pay disparity, using her platform after USA defended their World Cup title.
Talks between players and governing body U.S. Soccer have broken down, with Rapinoe indicating she will continue fighting for equal pay.
"They're the only employer that we could have playing for the national team, we're the only employees that they could have, so for better or for worse we're tethered together," she told ABC's Good Morning America on Thursday.
"I think that if and when and ever they are willing to have a conversation about equal pay that starts there and goes forward, we're always open to that."
De Boer wins first title with Atlanta as MLS champs claim Campeones Cup
Frank de Boer celebrated his first piece of silverware as Atlanta United head coach after the MLS champions overcame America 3-2 in the Campeones Cup.
Former Inter and Crystal Palace boss De Boer replaced Gerardo Martino, who guided Atlanta to their first MLS title in 2018 before taking charge of Mexico.
De Boer claimed his first title with Atlanta on Wednesday thanks to a second-half comeback at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In the annual North American clash – pitting the MLS champions against the Liga MX winners after kicking off last year – Atlanta made a dream start courtesy of Emerson Hyndman midweek.
Hyndman broke the deadlock after just five minutes, but Mexican giants America hit back via Renato Ibarra eight minutes later in Atlanta.
Ibarra's shot went in off the crossbar, though Atlanta had a golden chance to restore their lead, however Josef Martinez's 41st-minute penalty was kept out by Oscar Jimenez.
Martinez was made to pay for his miss as America's Roger Martinez put the visitors ahead approaching the hour mark.
America's lead was short-lived, however, after Jeff Larentowicz's wonder strike levelled proceedings two minutes later and Martinez made amends for his penalty miss – the Atlanta star converting a 65th-minute spot-kick.
MLS Review: Vela ties record, Martinez makes history
Carlos Vela tied the record for most combined goals and assists in a single MLS season as Los Angeles FC prevailed 4-2 against New York Red Bulls, while Atlanta United's Josef Martinez made history.
Vela scored and set up two others as Supporters' Shield leaders LAFC overcame the Red Bulls in a six-goal thriller on Sunday.
The Mexico international took his season tally to 23 goals and 15 assists – matching Sebastian Giovinco's feat with 10 matches remaining in the regular season.
Vela teed up Jordan Harvey for the 23rd-minute opener before Latif Blessing doubled LAFC's lead two minutes later, however, the Red Bulls rallied from 2-0 down to level in a stunning end to the first half.
Ex-Real Sociedad winger Vela converted a penalty just past the hour to put him on track to eclipse Martinez's single-season record of 31 goals set last term.
Vela then assisted Eddie Segura 18 minutes from the end as LAFC won their third successive game to move 16 points clear of Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference and 10 ahead of Philadelphia Union in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
Meanwhile, Martinez broke an MLS record by scoring in a 10th consecutive game for Atlanta – who edged New York City 2-1.
Reigning Golden Boot winner Martinez made history with his 42nd-minute header at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Venezuelan also scored from the penalty spot in the second half.
Heber pulled a goal back for visiting New York, however, defending champions Atlanta were not to be denied as they consolidated second spot in the Eastern Conference.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic attempted 15 shots – the most a player has taken in an MLS game this decade – as LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to a Wayne Rooney-less DC United.
In Sunday's other match, the high-flying Union were too good for Houston Dynamo 2-1.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content
of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative,
passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
