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.
Alia Atkinson wins twice for Team Iron in London leg of ISL
Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson won the short course 50m and 100m breaststroke events at the London leg of the International Swimming League on the weekend.
Atlanta United 1-2 Toronto: Defending champs beaten as visitors advance to MLS Cup final
Nick DeLeon's stunning late goal led Toronto past defending champions Atlanta United 2-1 and through to the MLS Cup final.
With 12 minutes remaining in Atlanta on Wednesday, DeLeon produced a thunderous long-range effort that beat Brad Guzan and secured Toronto's spot in the November 10 final.
Toronto will travel to Seattle Sounders in a rematch of the 2017 decider, which the Canadian side won 2-0.
After Los Angeles FC's shock defeat to Seattle on Tuesday, there was another upset as Frank de Boer's Atlanta were dethroned on home soil.
Julian Gressel gave Atlanta a fourth-minute lead after a selfless pass from team-mate Gonzalo Martinez at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
However, their lead only lasted 10 minutes as Toronto's Nicolas Benezet found the far corner of the net with a curling effort.
Toronto had the final say away from home after DeLeon somehow created enough space to find the top corner in the 78th minute.
Ibrahimovic and Vela headline MLS Best XI
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela have been named in the MLS Best XI for 2019.
LA Galaxy striker Ibrahimovic was named in the side for the second successive campaign after scoring 30 goals and assisting seven more in 29 regular-season matches.
Vela has enjoyed a stellar year with Los Angeles FC, meanwhile, having netted a single-season record 34 goals to win the Golden Boot and earn links with a move to LaLiga giants Barcelona.
LAFC won the Supporters' Shield and are well represented, with midfielder Eduard Atuesta and defender Walker Zimmerman also included.
There was also a place for Atlanta United's Josef Martinez, who broke his own MLS record by scoring a goal in 15 consecutive matches this year.
Vito Mannone got the nod in goal after making 129 saves in his debut campaign with Minnesota United, helping them qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time.
MLS Best XI: Vito Mannone (Minnesota); Ike Opara (Minnesota), Miles Robinson (Atlanta), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC); Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto), Carles Gil (New England), Eduard Atuesta (LAFC), Maxi Moralez (NYCFC); Carlos Vela (LAFC), Josef Martinez (Atlanta), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy).
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