Alain Jean-Pierre, the secretary general of the Haitian Olympic Committee (HOC), claimed during a visit here today to inspect the preparations for London 2012 that they were confident that they would have a bigger team in 2012 than they did at Beijing in 2008 when they were represented by a squad of 10.

Jean-Pierre told insidethegames: "We hope to send a team of between 15 and 18 athletes depending on qualification.

"We are aiming to send competitors in boxing, judo track and field and taekwondo.

"We would also like our football team to qualify - but that will be difficult."

It would nevertheless be a remarkable achievement if Haiti was to beat its previous record of 13 at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

Jean-Pierre estimates that between 50 and 65 athletes, coaches and administrators are still missing as a result of the earthquake that devastated the capital Port-au-Prince on January 12 and measured seven on the Richter scale.

He said: "After the quake we had made many inquiries to find out how many athletes died in the earthquake. 

"Many are still missing - 10 in judo, five in football, 15 in taekwondo.

"We do not know if they have been killed or have just left Port-au-Prince because of the earthquake."



Remarkably, the offices of the HOC escaped the effects of the earthquake and, despite early fears that they had perished, the executive of the organisation also survived.

Jean-Pierre (pictured) said: "Our building was not affected at all.

"All our members are alive.

"We are back on track and trying to help the other federations get back on their feet."

Haiti competed in three sports in Beijing - athletics, judo and boxing - while their flag was carried by judoka Joel Brutus, one of the tiny nation's most successful athletes and a double medal winner at the Pan-Am Games.

The country made its debut in the Games at Paris in 1900 when two fencers of Haitian nationality competed.

They did not make their next appearance in the Games until they were next held in Paris in 1924, winning a bronze medal in the men's team free rifle event.

Four years later, in Amsterdam, Silvio Cator won a silver medal in the long jump, the last Haitian to stand on the podium at the Olympics.

In 1946 Cator was elected Mayor of Port-au-Prince.

Stade Sylvio Cator, a multi-use stadium in that city, was named for him and was finished in 1958, the year of his death in Port-au-Prince.

The 30,000-capacity stadium was among the many buildings destroyed during the earthquake and now a tent-city has sprouted on the site (pictured).

Haiti has received offers of help from all around the world since the earthquake and has been seeking everything from the basics such as portable football goals, soccer balls, volleyballs and tennis balls to sleeping bags, cots and first-aid kits.

Jean-Pierre said: "The Americas and the US have been very supportive, providing equipment and help."

The HOC has signed an agreement with UNICEF to run the sports programmes to the 100,000 displaced children.

As part of the agreement, the HOC is partnering with the United States Olympic Committee to source the needed sports equipment.

Jean-Pierre also praised the efforts of London 2012.

He said: "LOCOG have been very helpful since the first minute after the earthquake, offering all the help they could.

"Even coming here for this visit they have taken care of everything and provided assistance."

Haiti was one of 17 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), including Austria, Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea, Turkey and the United States, to tour the Olympic Park and Excel today to see how things are progressing. 

Jean-Pierre said: "Things seemed to be progressing very well and I am sure London will stage a spectacular Olympics in 2012."

The NOCs also had the opportunity to hold discussions with the Nations and Regions about setting-up pre-Games training camps.

Haiti received invitations from several towns and regions, including Medway and Scotland.

Jean-Pierre said: "We had many offers from different regions.

"I am going back to tell my executive about the offers and we shall choose the one that offers us the best deal.

"I think we shall base ourselves around London.

"It is our plan to stay in the training camp for 15 days before moving into the Olympic Village."

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