From rubble to mountain peaks, the epic journey of Haiti’s first Winter Paralympian

From being buried alive in earthquake rubble, to the Italian mountain peaks of Cortina, Haiti’s first Winter Paralympian Ralf Etienne is determined to bring pride to his Caribbean nation at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Etienne lost his left leg in Haiti’s 2010 magnitude 7.0 quake, which claimed the lives of more than 300,000 people. He was in a multi-storey concrete building that collapsed and was buried upside down for nearly eight hours.

“I was dying,” he said. “That’s when I decided that if I survived this tragedy, I would live a life to serve people.”

The past 16 years he’s used his business and entrepreneurial skills to make people’s lives better. His humanitarian work inside Haiti has helped hundreds of people rebuild homes after the earthquake, replace roofing after hurricanes and support health care. He even managed to collect 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses as part of efforts to improve eye health.

Making Haiti proud

Competing in Para alpine skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 is another way of serving his beloved homeland, Etienne said.

Haiti is one of five countries, along with El Salvador, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Portugal making its Winter Paralympic debut.

Etienne benefitted from a competition support grant from the International Paralympic Committee’s Sport for Mobility programme over the last 12 months to qualify for the Games. The grant supports National Paralympic Committees with attendance for international classification and travel to and from international competitions.

“I have a drive to show the world a different side of my country, a positive side, a resilient side,” he said.

The 36-year-old athlete is conscious of the enormous power he has as a role model to young people in Haiti.

“When the youth in Haiti, look at me as a young man from Haiti, a disabled man, a banker, an elite Paralympic skier, that gives them hope,” he said.

Making history

His Paralympic preparation was complicated by many factors outside his control – including US immigration, moving to London and his coach requiring knee surgery. 

Connecting with the Swiss ski team for training camps provided a huge boost.

“I’ve only skied for 80 days of my life,” he said.

“I started skiing a year ago. I’m not worried about numbers (results) right now, I want to go and ski well, ski clean lines and do a good job.”

From the rubble to the summit

There were many moments he got close to giving up when everything seemed impossible.

But then Haitian business leaders stepped up to help him with financial support for his training. His professional background as an investment banker in New York helped him with the discipline required to be an elite athlete.

He said flying down the mountains fills him with unspeakable joy.

“The day I put my foot on the snow, I knew,” Etienne said.

He reflected on a humble childhood sporting journey that always found creative ways to enjoy sport despite poverty.

Growing up, he and his friends played soccer with fruit.

“Some people might look at us and think those poor kids playing with an orange, but for us it was a ball,” he said.

Fast forward to 2026 and Etienne is pumped for race day.

“It (will be) a great day for Haiti. It’s a great day for hope. Everything is possible,” Etienne said. 

“That’s what Haiti does. We go where we don’t belong. From the rubble of 2010 to the highest peaks in  2026. That’s my country.”

Catch Ralf Etienne in action at the Para alpine skiing giant slalom on 13 March at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre.

Where to watch and listen to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org