Havana, August 17 (RHC)-- The Cuban Paralympic delegation is looking for its traditional high efficiency in the correlation between athletes, medals and final placings," Jorge Reinaldo Palma, its technical chief, told the sport publication JIT.
Havana, August 17 (RHC)-- The Cuban Paralympic delegation is looking for its traditional high efficiency in the correlation between athletes, medals and final placings," Jorge Reinaldo Palma, its technical chief, told the sports publication JIT.
He referred to the 16 athletes who will represent the island at the 16th Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, which will start on August 24th at the new Olympic stadium in the Japanese capital.
In the London 2012 Games, the Cubans won nine Gold, five Silver medals and three Bronze medals, which placed them 15th in the medal table.
This is the highest reference for the Cuban athletes, since the medal haul was achieved with only 23 competitors. The performance in Rio de Janeiro 2016 also stood out, when 15 medals were won (8-1-6) and an 18th place with only 22 athletes.
"The preparation flowed and is going very well. There are no problems," said an optimistic Palma about a group of competitors that has fulfilled previous preparation bases in Dubai and Spain. "The Games will be a great challenge in all orders," he considered taking into account that they will take place a year later than planned and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The opponents have also prepared, but the competitive challenge is taken on equal terms," he said. The technical director of the athletic embassy predicts new records in the sports of time and marks, but he preferred not to value any of the Cubans led by multi-champion Omara Durand.
When it comes to predicting our titles, it "falls off the cliff" that they should come from the muscles of the Paralympic kings Durand, Leinier Savon, Leonardo Diaz and Lorenzo Perez.
Javelin throwers Guillermo Varona and Ulicer Aguilera, weightlifter Leidy Rodriguez, shooter Yenigladys Suarez and judoka Yordani Fernandez could also bring preseason medals.
Judoist Gerardo Rodríguez, weightlifter Oníger Jesús Drake, tennis player Yunier Fernández, cyclist Damián López and long jumper Ángel Jiménez will seek to be included among the finalists.
"The strength of the athletes lies in their willingness and experience, in their preparation, in their dedication and high patriotic feeling."
