María Caridad Colón

Havana, February 17 (JIT) - Former Cuban javelinist María Caridad Colón Ruenes described as very profitable her exchange with authorities of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) during a recent visit to that organization.

The Moscow 1980 champion and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was invited to share experiences in projects related to the empowerment of women, education and the values of Olympism, as well as the possibilities of exchange with the Cuban Sports Movement.

"We talked about the current situation of women in sport, the joint work that is being developed with Unesco in this regard and possible academic exchanges with our university," Maria Caridad, who was received by Brigitte Henriques, president of the CNOSF, told JIT.

Colón, a member of the IOC's education and heritage commissions, noted France's interest in promoting a greater role for women through sport. 

She also held a meeting with Diane de Navacelle Coubertain, descendant of the father of Olympism: Baron Pierre de Coubertain.

"We also addressed several aspects related to the next Olympic Games and the interest of several organizations and municipalities inserted in the Cuba-France group to support the preparation of the Cuban delegation on French soil," he added in reference to the event that will host the French capital during the summer of 2024.

In addition to photos of the visit, the CNOSF's Twitter account reviewed the meeting.... "At the heart of the exchanges: the organization of a seminar on the place of women in sport in collaboration with Unesco and the Cuban athlete training centers for Paris 2024."

"It represents an honor to have been received with respect, kindness and joy, as a sign that there will be a future of collaboration between the two countries," assured the first Olympic champion from Latin America.

Her stay on French soil coincided with the presence of Cubans in several indoor athletics rallies. María Caridad traveled to these venues with members of the Cuban embassy in that nation to witness and closely support their performances.

"Now I am making a working visit to the athletics training base in Montegordo, Portugal, and I can assure that here there is a very good atmosphere of commitment and desire to work for better results," she confirmed.

He said that he will attend the meeting in Madrid, Spain, on February 22, for which the presence of several Cubans has been confirmed, including the triple jumpers Liadagmis Povea and Leyanis Pérez, who are dominating the current winter season.