On February 6, 2026, Haiti earned the world’s attention at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, a historic milestone for a nation better known for warm weather than snow. For the first time in its history, Haiti sent two athletes to compete at a Winter Olympics, marking not just a sporting achievement but a powerful symbol of cultural pride and global visibility.
While Haiti’s Olympic journey began more than a century ago at the Summer Games, its story on the winter stage is just taking shape.
Haiti first appeared at the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris and went on to take part in multiple Summer Olympics thereafter, consistently showing strength in events. But it wasn’t until Beijing 2022 that Haiti made its Winter Olympics debut, represented by a single alpine skier, Richardson Viano, opening a new chapter of Olympic participation for the Caribbean nation. Since then, Haiti’s presence on snow has evolved from debut to full representation, culminating in the two‑athlete team at Milano Cortina 2026.
Richardson Viano of Team Haiti poses for a photo ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Alpine Ski Centre on February 02, 2022 in Yanqing, China. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Born in Port‑au‑Prince, Richardson Viano spent the first years of his life in Haiti before being adopted at age three by a French‑Italian family who settled in the French Alps.
Raised amidst snow and mountains, he developed a love for skiing that would one day bring him back to represent his birth nation on the world’s biggest stage. After being approached by the Haitian Ski Federation, he obtained a Haitian passport and qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics — becoming Haiti’s first Winter Olympian and one of the few Caribbean athletes to compete in alpine skiing at an Olympic level.
Viano finished 34th in the men’s slalom in Beijing and returned in 2026 to continue blazing this unique trail for Haiti. His journey is not only about sport but about challenging assumptions and sharing a narrative of possibility for Haitians around the world.
Stevenson Savart of Team Haiti is the first Haitian Olympic cross-country skier, making his debut in Milano Cortina 2026. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
At Milano Cortina 2026, Haiti expanded its winter legacy with Stevenson Savart, who became the country’s first Olympic cross‑country skier.
Like Viano, Savart was born in Haiti and adopted by a French family, growing up in the Vosges region of France where he learned to ski. He made his World Cup debut in January 2023 and has competed internationally for Haiti in both the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
In his Olympic debut — the men’s skiathlon — Savart was met with cheers from the crowd, a testament not just to competitive spirit but to the joy of representation. His motivation goes beyond results; as he shared, wearing Haiti’s colors is about visibility and hope for his home country during difficult times.
Haiti’s presence at the Opening Ceremony was also cultural and symbolic. The team’s uniforms, designed by Italian‑Haitian fashion designer Stella Jean, were among the most talked‑about looks of the Parade of Nations.
Jean’s designs were inspired by the work of Haitian‑born artist Édouard Duval‑Carrié, particularly his vibrant portrayals of Haiti’s revolutionary history. Originally planned to feature a portrait of Toussaint Louverture, the design was altered at the request of the International Olympic Committee due to neutrality rules. The final uniforms instead showcase a striking red riderless horse — a powerful visual nod to freedom, resilience, and national pride.
The outfits also featured forest‑green and sky‑blue motifs and elements like the traditional Haitian tignon headwrap, crafting a narrative of heritage, creativity, and performance, all woven together into wearable art.
Italian-Haitian designer, Stella Jean, created the iconic Opening Ceremony outfits, pulling inspiration from artist Édouard Duval-Carrié.
Haiti’s participation in the Winter Olympics is much more than athletic achievement. It represents a story of determination, cultural pride, and the refusal to be confined by stereotypes. Whether navigating political instability at home or limited winter‑sports infrastructure, the athletes and their artistic representation have given Haiti a proud and visible place on the global stage.
Their journey reminds us that possibility isn’t defined by geography — it’s defined by resilience, creativity, and the courage to step onto arenas others might never expect.
As Haiti’s Olympic journey continues, these historic moments will inspire future generations — on snow, on ice, and beyond. Congratulations to Richardson Viano, Stevenson Savart, Stella Jean, and all those who brought Haiti’s colors to the world in Milano Cortina 2026.
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