- Ralf Etienne, a 36-year-old Bank of America investment banker in London, is training to become Haiti’s first Winter Paralympian in three-track skiing.
- After losing his leg in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, he rebuilt his life in the U.S. through education, finance, and adaptive skiing.
- U.S. immigration restrictions on Haitians in 2025 prompted his transfer to London, enabling closer access to European training and races before the 2026 Games.
- His Paralympic bid depends on quickly earning qualifying results in European events while coordinating support from Haiti’s Paralympic officials and his employer.
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Ralf Etienne’s story is remarkable both personally and strategically. At its core is a narrative of resilience: after surviving the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti and losing a leg, Etienne rebuilt his life through education in the U.S., climbed the ranks into private equity banking, and set sights on adaptive skiing at the Paralympic level. [1] His ambition is now to become Haiti’s first Winter Paralympics competitor, specifically in the three-track ski races, which classify athletes who ski on one leg. [1]
From a timing standpoint, Etienne is racing the clock. With fewer than three months until international competition deadlines for 2026, he must participate in European races that satisfy the eligibility criteria for Winter Paralympic qualification. [1] The move from the U.S. to London is consequential: proximity to the Alps enables more intensive training, but the abrupt relocation has left some gap behind schedule. [1]
Immigration policy plays a major, often underappreciated role. Etienne resided in the U.S. on a temporary work visa, but changes in U.S. immigration policy—particularly restrictions initiated in March 2025 on green-card processing for Haitians—posed a risk to his ability to travel and compete. [1] His bank facilitated a transfer to London in response. [1]
Strategic implications extend beyond Etienne’s personal story. For Haiti and its national Paralympic authorities, Etienne represents both symbolic firsts and practical learning. If he qualifies it would mark Haiti’s debut at Winter Paralympics, potentially setting up infrastructure, visibility, and fundraising pathways for future winter sports athletes with disabilities. For Bank of America, this dual identity—banker and aspiring Paralympian—projects narratives of inclusion and adaptability that align with growing ESG expectations. But the bank must manage real internal trade-offs: supporting Etienne’s athletic aims necessitates flexibility in travel, remote work, and perhaps compensation, all while maintaining high performance in banking, traditionally a relentless culture.
Open questions remain. Will Etienne secure the needed race results in time? How will Haiti’s Paralympic committee support him administratively and financially? What are possible sponsor or institutional partners? How will Bank of America’s management accommodate what will likely be irregular but essential time away? And after 2026, could this become more than a singular journey—a foundation for winter adaptive sports in Haiti?
Supporting Notes
- Ralf Etienne is 36, works for Bank of America in London, and is aiming to become Haiti’s first ever Winter Paralympics representative. [1]
- He lost his leg in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake and later came to the U.S. for recovery and schooling. [1]
- Etienne trained in adaptive skiing, raced first in Winter Park, Colorado to meet eligibility requirements. [1]
- In 2025, U.S. immigration policy changes restricted green-card applications for Haitians and risked his ability to leave and return; this prompted a move to London. [1]
- He trains with the Swiss Paralympic ski team in the Alps and has plans to compete in ten more European races before the 2026 Games in March. [1]
- Bank of America supported his transfer to London to facilitate training, though relocation has caused some delays. [1]
Sources
- [1] www.wsj.com (Wall Street Journal) — December 26, 2025