Melissa Cabrera. Photo: JIT.
Havana, January 3 (RHC)-- Four Cuban swimmers from the national youth pre-selection will participate from January 13 to 15 in an invitational competition (14-16 years old) convened by the federation of this sport in Martinique.
Traveling will be Melissa Cabrera and María Carla Víctores from Havana, Jonathan Áreas from Avileña and Yuniskel Clavelo from Camagüey, accompanied by teacher Mirta Díaz and methodologist Amaury Ramírez.
"The choice took into account their three best events from 100 meters onwards, thanks to the average by the thousand-point table of the World Aquatics," as explained to the JIT publication Nelson García Fernández, national swimming commissioner.
These talents showed their progress in the Marcelo Salado Cup, the 58th National School Games, the Andres Perez Cup and several control events. They improved their personal bests, the most important thing for what it represents from a qualitative point of view.
"Competing is always good, from the technical point of view they accumulate another experience in a different scenario and with more motivation. It will be positive, as they are taking steps towards the First Central American and Caribbean Junior Games in 2024 and the Second Pan American Games in Asuncion 2025," said Garcia.
He added that it also represents a stimulus for the coaches who are preparing the reserve of the main team, which will restart its preparation next week with a view to the qualifying events for the Central Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023 and the Pan American Games of Santiago 2023.
Melissa and Jonhatan are part of the pre-selection along with the country's top players, while María Carla and Yuniskel are in the group of prospects.
"We are making arrangements to have electronic timing again in the Baraguá Swimming Pool Complex and to convert from this year onwards the Marcelo Salado and Andrés Pérez Cups into national championships of long and short course, respectively. It will make it possible for our athletes' times to be validated by World Aquatics," he revealed.
Nelson recalled that the records of Elisbet Gámez, Andrea Becali, Rodolfo Falcón Jr. and Julio Calero in the Budapest 2022 world competition can be validated because it took place in the qualifying period for San Salvador 2023.
"We will also have options in the open competition in the Dominican Republic from March 30 to April 3, which will give quotas for San Salvador 2023 and Santiago 2023. That competition is validated by the World Aquatics, even to make times towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," the executive explained.
