Mystery as six members of Haiti’s soccer team go missing while competing in the Special Olympics USA Games in Florida
SIX members of Haiti's soccer team have gone missing while competing in the Special Olympics USA Games in Florida.
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said that all six members turned in their room keys and left their belongings behind.
The missing athletes include Antione Mithon, 32, Nicholson Fontilus, 20, Peter Berlus, 19, Anderson Petit-Frere, 18, Steevenson Jacquet, 24, and Oriol Jean, 18. All were part of the games, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Five of the adults are not Special Olympics athletes, however, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games said one of the men in the group is an adult with an intellectual disability.
A spokesperson for the games said: "The well-being of these delegates is our foremost concern. Local authorities have indicated they have no reason to believe the health and safety of any of the individuals is at risk."
They were last seen on June 6 at approximately 2.30pm at 710 S Victory Way in Kissimmee, Florida - near the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where the games are taking place.
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The sheriff’s office is working with Walt Disney World - the host partner for the 2022 games - the Special Olympics, law enforcement, and other federal partners.
This is believed to be an isolated incident and no foul play is suspected.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at 321-697-4546.
The Special Olympics began June 5 and are scheduled through June 12 in Orlando.
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The games are expected to bring together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean.
Soccer is on the schedule through Friday, June 10, though it is unclear when Haiti was expected to play.
The Special Olympics have come under fire by Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis after the organization was requiring all athletes competing to be vaccinated against Covid.
Florida threatened the Special Olympics with a $27million fine late last week if they failed to lift the requirement.
The vaccine mandate wound up being lifted on June 3, allowing delegates who were previously ineligible to attend and participate.
"We don't want to fight. We want to play," the Special Olympics' said in a statement.
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"We want everyone to be able to compete," DeSantis said at a press conference Friday when the mandate has been lifted.
"Finally, we can report that all the athletes will be able to compete. This will be a relief for a lot of the athletes."
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