Banker-Athlete Ralf Etienne Eyes History in 2026 Winter Paralympics for Haiti

Ralf Etienne’s bid to represent Haiti at the 2026 Winter Paralympics combines extraordinary personal determination with navigating logistical, regulatory, and institutional extremities. His journey highlights the intersection of sport, immigration law, and diasporic representation.

First, the athletic and qualification challenge is steep. As a single-leg adaptive skier, Etienne is seeking to qualify in a three-track ski event, which requires sufficient performance in international alpine ski races. According to the qualification criteria, athletes must meet minimum FIS point thresholds—240 points for technical events (e.g. slalom/giant slalom) by February 15, 2026. [2] He needs to compete in multiple European races before the Paralympics and secure placements that earn him the required points. Underperformance or delays could risk collecting insufficient points or missing the window.

Second, Etienne’s relocation to London was driven by shifting U.S. immigration policy. Notably, DHS under the Trump administration has terminated TPS for Haitians effective September 2, 2025, thus stripping many of legal protections. [3][4] Additionally, the “humanitarian parole” program for Haitians and others was rescinded, with beneficiaries set to lose status effective April 24, 2025. [4] Since Etienne had held a temporary work visa in the U.S., these changes disrupted his ability to travel freely and train abroad without risk of denial of re-entry.

Third, the support (institutional and financial) required to simultaneously maintain a high-powered investment banking role and build a Paralympic training schedule is considerable. Etienne’s employer—Bank of America—has facilitated his move to London, judiciously positioning him nearer to the Alps and enabling weekend training with the Swiss Paralympic ski team. [1] Yet his weekday obligations (Excel models, deal pitches) extend into early mornings, late nights, and frequent travel. This dynamic imposes substantial physical, mental and time-management burdens.

Strategically, if successful, Etienne would not only make history for Haiti—still as yet without any Winter Paralympic representation—but also shine a light on the multifaceted challenges faced by athletes from countries with limited winter sport infrastructure, and by diaspora individuals contending with immigration volatility. He could serve as an example for potential policy reforms, philanthropic or institutional support for athletes in similar positions.

Open questions remain: Will Etienne achieve the requisite FIS points and race results by the February-15, 2026 deadline? Can he balance training intensity with career demands without injury or burnout? Will Haiti’s Paralympic committee and the Paralympic authorities accept his nomination and documentation in all respects? And as U.S. immigration policy continues to evolve, might there be further travel or legal obstacles—even from London?