The Elegant of the Tracks. Photo: Archive/Sport

Havana, May 6 (RHC) --The vice president of the Cuban Athletics Federation, María Caridad Colón received in Nassau, the Golden Order of Merit that a year ago World Athletics (WA) awarded to the two-time Olympic champion Alberto Juantorena for his merits and leadership in the development of athletics on the planet.

The golden necklace that accredits the Elegante de las Pistas as deserving of the highest distinction of the organization was given to the first Olympic champion from Latin America by its holder, the British Sebastian Coe, within the framework of the Bahamas 2024 World Athletics Relay Championships , which recently concluded in its capital.

Also present at the emotional moment were the American multi-time Olympic and world champion Carl Lewis, and the Puerto Rican Víctor López, for many years at the head of the Caribbean Athletics Confederation (Nacac).

“It is an honor for me to be the bearer of this important recognition and for Cuban athletics that Wolrd Athletics recognizes Alberto's dedication and work in this way. For many years he was the leader of our sport,” commented María Caridad.

The decision to present Juantorena with the prestigious recognition was made by WA at the close of its most recent congress, prior to the celebration of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest 2023.

On that occasion, the members of the organization also approved the designation of the president of the FCA - who was then absent due to health problems - as an Honorary Member of the WA World Council.

When officially presenting the award, Coe asked to convey the feeling of gratitude to the protagonist of the hitherto unparalleled feat of winning the 400 and 800 meter events at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In addition, he sent on behalf of the family of the universe athletic, wishes for a speedy recovery.

Juantorena held one of the vice presidencies of Inder for 28 years. At the international level, he was a member of the WA World Council, from 1987 until last year, and served with recognized success as vice president of the entity between 2015 and 2019.

He was also part of different commissions within the Iaaf -predecessor of WA-, and worked tirelessly for the development of new generations.

He currently holds the position of vice president of the Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) and heads the Cuban Paralympic Committee. (Source: JIT)