Third group of delegation to Paralympic Games returns to Cuba

Havana, September 7 (RHC/JIT)-- The third group of members of the Cuban delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games arrived back to Havana on Monday.

Among the 24 members of the delegation who returned to the homeland are cycling, athletics, judo, shooting and swimming para-athletes, as well as coaches, federation officials, sports medicine specialists and journalists.

At José Martí International Airport, they were received by Inder vice-president Ariel Sainz, who welcomed them and said that the Cuban people had enjoyed their performance in the Japanese capital.

"We want you all to feel like winners, because the mere fact of having been able to be in Tokyo is the main medal and recognition for you," Sainz stressed.

Alberto Juantorena, president of the Cuban Paralympic Committee, headed this third group and in declarations to the press he valued as magnificent the Antillean performance in the Land of the Rising Sun.

He added that he was personally impressed by the result of 18-year-old Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes, who won the gold medal with a Paralympic record of 7.46 meters in the long jump. He also described as extraordinary the performance of Omara Durand, queen of the 400, 200 and 100 meter races in the T12 category.

Fidel is the main inspirer of this movement in our country. He interpreted sport as part of the incorporation of people with disabilities into society and thus give them greater happiness, emphasized the two-time Olympic champion of Montreal 1976.

Cuba came in 35th place in the Paralympic Games with four gold medals, one silver and one bronze. The final group of the delegation will arrive on September 12, led by the now eight-time Paralympic queen Omara Durand, winner of three golds in Tokyo, including a world record in the 200 meters. 

On Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, wrote on his Twitter account, "A big hug for our delegation in the #ParalympicGames. We have lived every competition together and we are very proud of the performance that everyone has had. You are a great example of dedication, courage and optimism. We are waiting for you in the Homeland," said Diaz Canel.      

Alberto Juantorena, president of the Cuban Paralympic Committee, headed the third group and in declarations to the press he valued the Cuban performance as magnificent.