Haiti Earns Silver at CAC Games

Aug 5, 2018

2 min read

Updated: Jan 2, 2021

On the flight back from CAC Games...

Barranquilla, COL

As Venessa Clerveaux prepared herself steady in the blocks, the crowd hushed to a silence. The Haitian delegation along with us athletes slowly stood as the gunman announced “set.” The contestants took off as the gun was fired.

She was the first one to the first hurdle and the second one to the finish line. A close finale behind Costa Rica. The arena erupted with laughter, cheering, tears and precise hand slaps.

The top of the bleachers chanted “ Ayiti! Ayiti! Ayiti! “AYITI AYITI AYITI AYITI” 🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 Ayiti !🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹Ayiti !🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹Ayiti ! 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹Ayiti 🇭🇹🇭🇹 🇭🇹🇭🇹 Ayiti !!! !!!! !!!! !!!!! !! !!!

Venessa had just ran her second fastest time ever, and realized she would be upon the podium, accepting a silver medal so humbly for Haiti. Her performance meant Haiti had just medaled at the CAC Games.

The time before that was 1982.

She stepped upon the podium and accepted her award while marveling at the way the Haitian flag blew in the wind.

Upon the podium she was accompanied with Costa Rica, and Jamaica. The ladies smiled, as reporters and photographers captured this glorious moment.

To say she has made Haiti and their supporters proud, is truly an understatement. Her devotion, courage and undeniable praise to God has gotten her here, and will keep her focused on the next race. With the Olympics 2 years away, at the 2018 Central America and Caribbean Games ignited hope in all of us, especially in the stands.