In a full-circle moment, former Haitian swimmer Naomy Grand’Pierre will coach Haiti's two-member swimming team at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Grand’Pierre, who made history as the first female swimmer to represent Haiti at the Olympics in 2016, is now set to lead her younger brother Alex Grand’Pierre and 14-year-old Mayah Chouloute to the global stage.

Reflecting on her transition from athlete to coach, the 27-year-old Grand’Pierre described the experience as profoundly meaningful. "It's definitely a full circle moment for me," she shared. "When I was going to the Olympics, I was the first female swimmer and the first swimmer to represent Haiti since 1996. It was a very isolating and new experience. I'm excited to share all the things that I've learned and make sure that the two athletes attending the Games have a really good time. They feel confident and don't have to deal with the insecurities I faced."

Grand’Pierre’s firsthand experience as a trailblazer provides her with unique insights to mentor her athletes effectively. She emphasized the importance of comprehensive preparation, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. "Being the first, you're kind of the guinea pig. I had to figure everything out on my own. I think the part I’ll enjoy most is letting the athletes know every single detail, what to expect, and having the mental and emotional preparation alongside the physical training," she explained. "I'll get to coach them and also get to coach my younger self in the process."

Grand’Pierre is optimistic about the growth and development her athletes will experience in Paris. "Getting to be surrounded by the world's top swimmers helps you improve your game dramatically. They’ll be inspired, and representing Haiti, especially with all the political setbacks we've been dealing with, will make the experience even more significant."

At just 14 years old, Mayah Chouloute is set to become the youngest swimmer ever to represent Haiti at the Olympics. Grand’Pierre sees a bit of herself in Chouloute. "Mayah definitely caught the world and the team by surprise. Her determination and willingness to step into the unknown and represent Haiti makes her a very coachable athlete. I'm looking forward to getting some one-on-one time with her to make sure she's ready to embrace the moment and the opportunity."

Grand’Pierre’s younger brother, Alex, a 21-year-old gold medalist in the breaststroke at the CCCAN Championships in Mexico, is also part of the team. Coaching a sibling at the Olympics can be a monumental task, Grand’Pierre does not see her brother presenting one. "There's absolutely no challenge. Alexander is a fantastic brother. We've trained together, and coaching him is a collaborative situation. We tackle it together, and we've gone through several meets where I've been his coach. It’s always been a fantastic experience. I'm really looking forward to doing it with him at the Olympic Games."

As Naomy Grand’Pierre prepares to guide Haiti’s swimming team at the Paris Olympics, with her expertise and passion, she is poised to lead Mayah Chouloute and Alex Grand’Pierre to a memorable Olympic experience and hopefully inspiring a new generation of Haitian athletes.