Alex Grand'Pierre
Naomy Grand'Pierre
In an inspiring display of perseverance and national pride, Haitian swimmer Alex Grand'Pierre faced formidable challenges yet delivered a commendable performance in the 100m breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite a rigorous internship and limited preparation time, Alex displayed his dedication, finishing fourth in his heat and earning high praise from his coach and sister, Naomy Grand'Pierre, Haiti's first female Olympic swimmer.
His journey to Paris and his resilient spirit on the world stage highlight not only his athletic talent but also his commitment to representing Haiti with honour and distinction.
Naomy, who made history as the first woman to swim for Haiti at the Olympics in Rio 2016, explained the circumstances that affected Alex's performance.
"I think context is the most important thing," she began. "Alexander was interning in New York with the UN and the State Department, so the three months leading up to the Olympics, his training was based in New York. He was using a 25-metre pool and training every day, but when you train in a 25m pool as opposed to a long course pool for a long course race, there are some little details that you're not able to refine and endurance that you're not able to maximize."
Alex's tight schedule also played a role in his preparation. "It's also important to note that because of this internship and the very strict dates, Alexander arrived the morning of the 25th, which was one day before the opening ceremonies. So Alexander was able to get one solid day of training, had a wonderful performance at the opening ceremonies, left the opening ceremonies early, and then his race was in the morning," Naomy explained.
Despite these challenges, she expressed pride in Alex's efforts. "Considering all those outside factors and comparing it to all the other athletes that arrived two weeks before their Olympic races to perform at 100 percent best, this was Alexander's best, considering all the circumstances. So for him to only be a second shy of his best time, he still came fourth in his heat. He's the third fastest Caribbean Olympian. So from all the breaststrokers from the Caribbean islands, he is the third fastest and I think he did a phenomenal job."
Naomy (right) Alex and proud members of the Haitian delegation in Paris.
Naomy emphasized the significance of Alex's participation in the Olympics for her troubled nation. "What Alexander did well is rise to the occasion and understand the significance of his role as an athlete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and it was to represent Haiti at the highest possible level. Him at the opening ceremonies is a direct reflection of that, him before his race, during his race, and after his race is a direct reflection of that."
Looking ahead to the next Olympic Games, Naomy noted areas for improvement. "Under perfect circumstances, I would have loved for Alexander to participate in the pre-Olympic training camp that the head coach of Azura, John Luca, was in charge of. He would have adjusted to the time zone and done all of those things. So there's always room for improvement, and hopefully, in the next Olympic games, he will have all the ideal conditions for him to go a best time."
Alex's experience in Paris also provided valuable lessons. "As soon as he finished his race, he crossed paths with Adam Peaty and was able to take a photo with him. He's like the best breaststroker in the world. So it's moments like that; I think he knows that he's among the best. He was quite literally a symbol of Haitian excellence. And he's aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with the position that he's in. I think he's taken a very good leadership role with all the Haitian athletes that are here; it's a delegation of seven."
Alex Grand'Pierre and Adam Peaty, who won silver in the final of the 100m breaststroke.
Naomy concluded with praise for Alex's positive influence. "Alexander has been very vocal about how important it is to bring positivity, good vibrations, and good energy for Haiti here in Paris for the world to see. And Alexander has done a beautiful, beautiful job."
Alex, a rising college senior, qualified for the Olympics after winning the 100m breaststroke at the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships last month. He holds Haitian records in the 50, 100, and 200-metre breaststroke and the Bowdoin College records in those distances.
Coming off a successful season in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), where he was named an All-American in the 100m breaststroke at the NCAA Division III championships, Alex has shown promise and resilience as he sets his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
France set up Olympics quarter-final with Argentina following New Zealand win
France set up a quarter-final meeting with Argentina at the Paris Olympics after topping Group A with a comfortable 3-0 win over New Zealand in Marseille.
Thierry Henry's side remain the only side in the tournament to win all of their games so far, and made light work of their opponents on Tuesday.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who captained the side with Alexandre Lacazette on the bench, started off the scoring after the ball bundled its way into his path before finishing beyond Alex Paulsen in the 19th minute.
In a game that saw Les Bleus accumulate 34 shots at the Orange Velodrome, their dominance was rewarded with two quickfire goals late on.
Desire Doue would double the hosts' advantage from close range, with Arnaud Kalimuendo rounding off the scoring three minutes later to see France remain perfect.
France's triumph saw them win their first three games at the Games for the first time in their history, while also keeping three clean sheets on the spin for the first time at the Olympics.
In the other Group A encounter, the United States qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time since 2000 as they eased to a 3-0 win over Guinea.
A rampant start to the encounter saw Djordje Mihailovic and Kevin Paredes have Marko Mitrovic's two goals to the good just after the half-hour mark.
Despite finishing the encounter with just 37.8% possession, the United States were clinical in the final third as Paredes put the game beyond doubt in the 75th minute.
They return to action this Friday when they face Group B winners Morocco, who clinched top spot with a 3-0 win over Iraq while also finishing ahead of Argentina.
Swiatek eases to Paris Olympics quarter-finals
Iga Swiatek eased to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics as she beat Wang Xiyu in straight sets.
Swiatek, who has claimed four grand slam titles on the clay surface at Roland-Garros, continued her dominance on Tuesday as she emerged a 6-3 6-4 victor.
Wang started the match confidently, moving the world number one around the court early on, but Swiatek found her rhythm, earning a decisive break point in the sixth game before cruising to the first set.
The top seed managed to find a break in the opening game of the second set, but that lead proved difficult to maintain as Wang broke back instantly to take the next two games on the spin.
Swiatek, however, broke for a 3-2 lead and held her serve in the following game, but Wang continued to put on the pressure, winning her next two games to level the game.
The Pole would find yet another break of serve in the ninth game and was able to hold out to secure her passage to the quarter-finals in the French capital.
Swiatek will face Danielle Collins in the next round.
Data Debrief: Swiatek fights off inspired Wang
While the scoreline looked comfortable for Swiatek, it was far from it on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
In the opening set, Swiatek had 11 unforced errors compared to Wang's eight, while also hitting only nine winners.
But in a game filled with break points, Swiatek showcased her ruthless streak, converting four and saving six of the eight she faced.
Alcaraz and Nadal survive scare to reach Olympics doubles quarter-finals
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz survived a scare to keep their quest for gold alive as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics.
The Spanish duo were pushed all the way by Dutch pairing Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, but emerged 6-4 6-6 (2-7) 10-2 victors on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Nadal exited the singles following a defeat to long-time rival Novak Djokovic, but started impressively as the pairs exchanged rallies in the opening exchanges.
But a break in the seventh game for the Spaniards saw them assume full control of the first set, with Alcaraz serving out the final game to hold the early advantage.
However, Griekspoor and Koolhof would respond, with the Dutch pair able to dominate a second-set tiebreak, taking the encounter to an exciting conclusion.
But Nadal and Alcaraz would roar to victory, securing their passage to the next stage in the deciding third set after Griekspoor slammed an Alcaraz serve into the net.
Next up for the all-star Spanish duo is a clash with fourth-seeded Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
Data Debrief: Nadalcaraz continue to shine
The combination of youth and experience worked to its full effect at Roland-Garros, with Nadal and Alcaraz once again showing their gold medal credentials.
Nadal and Alcaraz saved all three of the break points they faced, ending the contest by winning 81% of their first serve points.
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