Cuban president welcomes Cuba's Paralympic delegation upon their arrival home

Havana, September 14 (RHC/JIT) - Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel received on Monday the last group of the Cuban delegation attending the XVI Paralympic Games of Tokyo 2020.

At the Jose Marti International Airport, the president happily greeted each of the new arrivals, led by sprinter Omara Durand and her guide Yuniol Kindelán, as well as the rest of the 16 Cuban participants in the event, who attended the air terminal to participate in the welcome.

Among those who arrived today from the Japanese capital were long jump champion Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes (T46) and Lenier Savón, silver medalist in the same event in the T12 class. Coaches Miriam Ferrer and Luis Bueno, and Raúl Fornés Valenciano, first vice-president of Inder and head of the delegation, also arrived.

Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella, deputy prime minister of our government; Osvaldo Vento Montiller, head of Inder, and other leaders and officials of the Party, the State and political and mass organizations also attended the reception.

Omara, who in Tokyo 2020 raised to eight her golden booty in these contests, said that "we arrived with the pride of having represented Cuba with dignity and with limitless dedication".

"Beyond the four gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal achieved, which placed us in 35th place in the medal standings, we are moved by the will demonstrated in each presentation and the joys that we were able to deliver to our beloved people.

"Each outing to the competition stages was inspired by Fidel and Raul, and also by the dignity and decorum of the compatriots who applauded us from a distance," he added.

Durand emphasized that "while we were competing in Tokyo, you were fighting important battles here against covid-19 and against the enemies of the Revolution that made possible triumphs such as those achieved this time. We must also give thanks at this time". 

He acknowledged all those who made possible Cuba's presence in some Games that he described as the most difficult in history, "and in which only participating already merited a great prize for the dedication to qualify and prepare ourselves, and for the risks faced".

"Our performance pays tribute to Cuba's resistance against the U.S. blockade and in the face of the enemy siege, and demonstrates that the work of sport continues even in the most adverse conditions," she exclaimed.

She emotionally concluded: "We especially embrace President Díaz-Canel for his messages of encouragement on every occasion, and also many other members of our country's leadership. Before them and our people we confirm our commitment to move forward in search of new victories. See you in Paris 2024!".

Perdomo Di-Lella, in welcoming everyone, expressed that "we follow with enthusiasm, joy and respect each of your presentations, aware of your effort and dedication to qualify, prepare, compete and impose yourselves in the complex scenario of these times of covid-19, economic crisis and escalating aggressions against our country".

He also assured that "in you and in the Paralympic sport of the Revolution, Fidel's concept that sport is and must be one of the most effective means that society has to contribute to the promotion of the welfare and health of citizens, the development of the spirit, the improvement and solidarity among men, for the cultivation of a better quality of life and the full realization of the human being, is materialized".

After the reception, our champions and medalists traveled by caravan to their isolation center at the Tulipán Hotel, in Plaza de la Revolución.

During the trip along Rancho Boyeros and 26th Avenues, and 23rd and Paseo Streets, they received the affectionate greetings of our people. They traveled in vehicles of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and responded joyfully to the gestures of admiration. 

At the hotel facility they were also entertained by representatives of the different political and mass organizations, as well as by the workers of the institution, complying with all the epidemiological measures by covid-19.