- Bank of America banker and 2010 Haiti earthquake survivor Ralf Etienne is aiming to become Haiti’s first Winter Paralympian in three-track skiing.
- After U.S. immigration policy changes jeopardized his travel, he relocated from the U.S. to London, closer to European training venues and with support from his employer.
- He has completed his first qualifying race, secured Haiti’s nomination, and must race in Europe over the next few months to meet strict Paralympic criteria for 2026.
- His journey underscores how elite sport, corporate support, and immigration policy intersect, especially for athletes from less-resourced countries and diasporas.
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Ralf Etienne’s story is remarkable, combining personal resilience, dual high-performance demands, and institutional hurdles. A summary: he lost a leg in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, rebuilt his education (undergraduate degree, MBA), then entered a fast-paced investment banking career. Parallel to that he developed in adaptive skiing, culminating in Haiti nominating him as its first potential Winter Paralympian. He is targeting the three-track ski races, which are for athletes competing with one leg. He has under three months (from late December 2025) to complete remaining qualifying races before the Milano–Cortina Winter Paralympics in March 2026. [1]
Etienne’s immigration status played a critical role. Changes in U.S. immigration policy—specifically actions by the Department of Homeland Security—jeopardized his ability to travel and re-enter the U.S. when abroad, prompting his relocation to London, which situates him closer to European Alps ski venues and potentially reduces visa risks. Bank of America supported this move. [1]
Qualification for Paralympic snow sports is tightly regulated. Events require athletes to compete in internationally sanctioned races, maintain certain point thresholds (e.g., FIS or IPC rankings), and meet Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) under sport classifications. [2] Haiti as a National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has bid Etienne as its representative, but final selection depends on his performance and compliance with international qualification standards. [1][2]
Strategic implications:
- For NPCs in less resourced countries, having diaspora athletes like Etienne offers potential high-visibility success, but challenges include funding, infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with international regulatory bodies.
- For banks and employers, the ability to allow flexible remote work, relocation support, and leave policies could become a differentiator in recruiting and retaining high-talent individuals who also compete internationally.
- Immigration regulations—especially for athletes who must travel—can significantly affect athletic preparation and may require NPCs and employers to proactively engage with policy makers or seek legal remedies.
Open questions remain:
- Will Etienne meet all qualification thresholds in time (e.g., enough sanctioned races, ranking points)?
- How will Haiti’s Paralympic Committee support travel, equipment, coaching, and funding? Has there been institutional investment?
- What legal and immigration paths are available to permanent status, or does being an international athlete provide any special visa considerations?
- Once qualified, what performance goals or medal expectations are reasonable, given his late start and dual commitments?
Supporting Notes
- Etienne is 36, works for Bank of America in London, lost a leg in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. [1]
- He trains with the Swiss Paralympic ski team in the Alps on weekends while managing work commitments. [1]
- He completed his first competitive adaptive ski race in Winter Park, Colorado, in April 2025, meeting eligibility criteria; Haiti officially nominated him soon after. [1]
- DHS policy changes in March 2025 limited green-card application processing for Haitians, prompting Etienne’s relocation to London to avoid travel and re-entry risks. [1]
- He aims to compete in 10 more European races before the March 2026 Paralympics, specifically targeting the three-track ski category for one-legged competitors. [1]
- The 2026 Winter Paralympics will have 79 medal events across six sports, with athlete quota places rising to 665 (323 male, 176 female, 166 gender-free), indicating increased opportunity but also rigorous competition. [2]
- Minimum Impairment Criteria include, for example, unilateral limb deficiency or amputations through or above the ankle, sport classification evaluation, and verified sport class status before competition. [2]
Sources
- [1] www.wsj.com (The Wall Street Journal) — Dec 26, 2025
- [2] www.disabled-world.com (Disabled-World / International Paralympic Committee) — Mar 5, 2025