Haiti Olympic leader slams suspended swim official for defying sanctions, clinging to power

CAP-HAITIEN — Hans Larsen, president of Haiti’s Olympic Committee (COH), condemned Evenel Mervilus, former head of the Haitian Federation of Aquatics Sports (FHSA), for sending an open letter declaring Haiti’s withdrawal from the governing body for aquatic sports in North, Central and South America, Panam Aquatics. Mervilus, who lost his position after being sanctioned for embezzling funds, lacks the authority to make such decisions, according to Larsen.

“This is a parody, this is nonsense,” Larsen told The Haitian Times on Nov. 5. 

“This guy represents absolutely nothing… Mr. Mervilus was president, and the international federation took his right to make decisions away.”

The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) suspended Mervilus and three former FHSA officials on Aug. 6 for misappropriating over $75,000 intended for athletes. Mervilus, former executive director James Cius, and ex-treasurer Jean Jean Remilus were each banned for 10 years, while former adjunct treasurer Ruby King received a five-year suspension, according to AQIU.

Despite being banned from all the federation’s activities, Mervilus issued an open letter on Oct. 28, posted on FHSA’s Facebook page, claiming that Haiti’s federation had withdrawn from Panam Aquatics. If validated, this decision would prevent Haitian athletes from representing the country in international competitions.

In a broader context, the episode highlights Haiti’s history of leaders refusing to relinquish power, even when faced with corruption allegations. The FHSA scandal reflects this trend, leaving Haiti’s swimming federation leaderless and its athletes in jeopardy.

Panam Aquatics, which governs aquatics sports across the Americas, has yet to comment on the matter. Mervilus accuses Panam Aquatics President Maureen Croes of undermining FHSA’s autonomy and alleges that Haiti’s Olympic Committee colluded with AQIU to sanction him and others wrongfully.

“AQIU sanctioned us illegally,” Mervilus claimed. “They lack the moral integrity to impose sanctions, acting with partiality… The federation will fight until the end because defending ourselves is a sacred right.”

Mervilus has repeatedly denied the accusations, writing to officials, including World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam, to contest the sanctions. AQIU and Larsen’s 13-page report accuses Mervilus and his colleagues of fabricating receipts and failing to reimburse athletes’ travel expenses. The report also claims that they threatened to exclude athletes who voiced concerns.

While Mervilus denies these allegations, Cius admitted to altering documents, including airline tickets, in an April 2024 email. During an August interview with The Haitian Times, another former official, Sephar Jean Louis, accused Mervilus of fraudulently signing documents for other FHSA members.

Since the sanctions, Panam Aquatics has taken over FHSA operations with assistance from Haiti’s Olympic Committee. Mervilus, however, sees this as an attempt to “take the swimming federation hostage.”

Larsen emphasized that the real priority is supporting athletes.

“The athletes make the sport. The problem in Haiti is that federation presidents think they’re above everyone. But no, athletes come first,” said the president of the COH.

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