The search for six members of the Haitian delegation to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games is still ongoing. This year was the first time the U.S. invited the athletes from the Caribbean to join in the games, which is why the Haitian Delegation was involved. 

What You Need To Know

  • Six members of the Haitian delegation to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games were reported missing this week

  • While they have not yet been located, officials say they are still investigation their disappearance as a missing persons case

  • Will Fonseca, whose brother Frankie Arroyo competes in the Special Olympics, says he believes the missing members from Haiti were a unified team

According to the Special Olympics website, to be eligible to participate in the Special Olympics, you must be identified by an agency or professional as having special needs. But that doesn’t stop athletes without intellectual disabilities from participating. 

Will Fonseca and his brother Frankie Arroyo have an inseparable bond.

“We get along with each other, we play games with each other,” Arroyo said. “We have fun and I love my brother.” 

Arroyo has autism but he doesn’t let his learning disabilities stop him.

Competing in the Special Olympics Florida in Osceola County with his brother fortifies their relationship.

“You grow as family, you grow as friends, Fonseca said. "I just feel like it changed our lives and we've been involved in the Special Olympics ever since."

Fonseca believes the missing delegation members from Haiti was made up of a unified team.

Fonseca is not only a coach, but he also participates in unified teams where higher level athletes play with those who have special needs.

“It's all about the word inclusion,” he said. “We want people to feel togetherness — you will see a lot of bonds being made that would have never been usually made though a unified team.” 

As they look back at old pictures and newspapers of their experience at the Special Olympics Worlds back in 1999, Fonseca said he just hopes the missing team is OK.

“I know the Special Olympics organization does a lot and I know they're trying hard,” he said. “And I can speak for everybody involved, on a volunteer basis and on the Special Olympics organization, that we just hope that they are safe. Thats the most important — that they’re safe.” 

Officials with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said they are still working the disappearance as a missing persons case and do not suspect foul play is involved.