Havana, December 2 (JIT)-- The first group of the Cuban delegation attending the VII Parapan American Games of Santiago 2023, made up of 24 people, returned to the homeland this Friday.

Upon their arrival, they thanked the Cuban Sports System and the Revolution for the possibility of participating in the regional event.

The group was received at José Martí International Airport by Inder's general director of economy and logistics, Luis Broughton, and international relations officer Ileana Alfonso, who congratulated them on behalf of the organization and the Cuban people.

Swimmer Yosjaniel Hernandez, double bronze medalist, expressed his happiness with the result and thanked the Revolution for the opportunity to assist in these Games.'

"To tell the people of Cuba that I will continue preparing for future competitions," said the young swimmer from Pinar del Río.

Lorenzo Pérez Escalona, winner of a bronze medal in para-swimming, recalled that "these were my fourth Games and once again I climbed the podium. I return satisfied for the duty I have fulfilled. Contributing to the medal tally is an honor", he emphasized.

Judoka Jennys García, third in the 73 kg division, said he was happy because despite all his limitations and the fact that these were his first games, he made it to the podium.

Oscar Beltrán, head of the Department of Sports for People with Disabilities of Inder, referred to the participation of the Island with 54 athletes in 10 disciplines, and the winning of 35 medals (12 gold, eight silver and 15 bronze). He considered the performance as very relevant and considered the pre-competition forecasts as fulfilled.

"It has been a very united delegation, very tough, very disciplined. In the medal table we equaled the seventh place of Lima 2019. It was really a very strong competition, because the countries ahead of us participated with a large number of paratriathletes," he argued.