Haiti Olympians Missing: 6 Haitian Soccer Team Members Mysteriously Vanish From Special Olympics USA Games in Florida

Six members of Haiti's soccer team have mysteriously disappeared while competing in the Special Olympics USA Games in Florida.

According to Daily Mail, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said foul play is not suspected at the moment, but an urgent search is underway. The sheriff's office noted that the players had turned in their hotel room keys but left their belongings behind.

The six Haitian Special Olympics soccer team members were Atione Joseph Mithon, 32; Steevenson Jacquet, 24; Nicholson Fontilus, 20; Peter Mianovich Berlus, 19; Anderson Petit-Frere, 18; and Oriol Jean, 18.

The sheriff's office said they had been missing since Monday. In a statement, the Special Olympics USA Games said the well-being of the delegates is their foremost concern.

The organizers added that local authorities have indicated they have no reason to believe the health and safety of any of the individuals are at risk but have been reported as missing persons "to expand the reach and effectiveness of law enforcement's efforts to locate these individuals."

The sheriff's office said it is coordinating and working with Walt Disney World, the Special Olympics, and federal partners to search for the missing Haitians. At this time, police noted that they believe this case is an isolated event.

Six Haiti Special Olympians Missing in Florida

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said the Haitian Special Olympics soccer team members were last seen on June 8 at around 2:30 p.m. at 710 S. Victory Way in Kissimmee, Florida, near the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where the games are being held.

According to NBC News, police officials said all six were scheduled to participate in the games' soccer competition. Organizers noted that one is an athlete and the five others are part of Haiti's delegation to the games, adding that the athlete has an intellectual disability.

They said the reason for the departure of Haiti's Special Olympics soccer team members from the games "is currently unknown." The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the Persons Crimes Unit at (321) 697-4546.

2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Florida

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games competition kicked off this weekend, with the opening ceremony held in Orlando, Florida.

News 4 Jax reported that more than 5,000 athletes from all 50 states and the Caribbean Islands are competing. The games will run until Saturday.

Friends and family celebrated local athletes before sending them off for the games. Ashlyn Savel of Jacksonville, who is competing, told the outlet that she has the most amazing team, coaches, and parents.

The USA Games offers 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports, familiar ones like track and field events and gymnastics. There is also bocce, equestrian, stand-up paddleboard, and flag football.

According to WESH, Disney offers a special setting for the Games and memories these athletes will make. Dr. Michael Jablonski, the Chief Medical Officer for the USA Games, leads a huge army of volunteers providing medical care for some 6,000 people, including Special Olympics athletes and their delegations.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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