Mijaín López. (Photo: jit.cu)

Paris, August 11 (RHC) -- The delegation representing Cuba at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has declared its satisfaction for having competed with dignity and adherence to our values, inspired by the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and the commitment to give everything in each outing, although the results did not always leave the desired results.

DECLARATION BY THE CUBAN DELEGATION ATTENDING PARIS 2024

. The delegation that represented Cuba at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games returns to our Homeland with the satisfaction of having competed with dignity and adherence to the values ​​of our sport, inspired by the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and the commitment to give everything in each outing, even if the results did not always leave the desired results.

. It does so, moreover, grateful for the many expressions of support received from the Island, where the people to whom we owe ourselves followed with interest what happened during these intense and very demanding days, with the main leaders of the Revolution aware of every detail.

. In this regard, we are honored to highlight the congratulatory message issued by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz on the occasion of the coronation of our standard-bearer Mijaín López, and the telephone conversations held by the First Secretary of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, with the fighter himself and other main protagonists of what happened here, where the attention of our diplomatic mission was also key and the Casa Yo Soy Cuba in Tremblay-en-France became an open space for the truth of our country.

. We were also aware of the statements of many other comrades, to which were added innumerable expressions of support, arriving by different means and also from other countries, always marked by affection and respect towards those who turned them into additional motivations for the battle, taken on by 61 athletes from 16 sports.

. With presence in 53 of the 329 events called, the conquest of two gold medals, one silver and six bronze placed Cuba in 32nd place among countries, which meant not fulfilling the goal of a place among the first 20, but even though more careful analysis remains, it is necessary to confirm that there was no triumphalism in that aspiration.

. As we have stated in different spaces, we assumed it aware that making it a reality would demand the almost perfect response of our main candidates to be crowned, and the fact that only one of them was left without a medal demonstrates the value of the studies from which it emerged.

. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that, even though this is a lower number than the 69 achieved for Tokyo 2020, having 61 qualified now was once again a meritorious achievement for a country without the possibilities of the great powers and impacted by the intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government.

. This multiplies the significance of the dedication with which athletes and coaches overcame limitations to make the most of their preparation, backed by the political will associated with the role assigned to sport in our country, the multiplication of alliances in the field of science and innovation, and the contribution of supportive friends who guaranteed important stays in several French locations.

. Likewise, without closing any doors to the qualification process, work was carried out in a differentiated manner at the level of sports and strategic figures, in accordance with the available resources, and medical-psychological care, anti-doping control and the study of opponents were consolidated, also supported by the reality experienced in these days.

. Our delegation, made up entirely of exponents of the Cuban sports system, maintained ethical behavior, adjusted to fair play, discipline, respect for opponents and the spirit of fraternal exchange, and received stimulating displays of sympathy in all the scenarios, something that we appreciate with healthy pride, motivated by the international prestige of the Revolution.

. As for results, logical and well-deserved applause for the great Mijaín, a fighter of the classic style who allowed us to share a unique moment with his arrival at five titles in these scenarios.

. We applauded the young boxer Erislandy Álvarez, who had an exciting gold debut, as well as the rest of the medalists, meaning that Yusneylis Guzmán (silver) and Yarisleidis Cirilo (bronze) debuted on the podium for our wrestlers and canoeists, respectively.

. Arlen López (bronze) became the second boxer from the Island with medals in three divisions, Luis Alberto Orta (bronze) set the number of fighters with more than one medal at this level at four, Rafael Alba (bronze) went down in the books as our first double Olympic medalist taekwondo player and Gabriel Rosillo (bronze) and Milaimy Marín (bronze) completed the decisive contribution of the fights, with the latter expanding the role of women, who in general totaled three podium finishes.

. Our recognition to those who did not form part of that vanguard, but were up to the expected level, even with historic personal performances. And to undisputed glories such as judoka Idalys Ortiz and boxer Julio César La Cruz, now dismissed without medals.

. We are also accompanied by the dissatisfaction generated by performances below expectations, beyond the failure to obtain medals, particularly in sports with figures capable of achieving them.

. We bid farewell to an extremely demanding event, confirming phenomena such as nationalizations based on results, arbitration inconsistencies and performances forged under the protection of material and human resources outside the countries of origin of its protagonists, a context in which Cuba, blockaded, attacked and slandered, without a single imported athlete or coach in its ranks, once again led Central America and the Caribbean, was fourth in the Americas and wrote pages unknown to many developed countries.

. That is why, just hours before the 98th anniversary of his birth, we recall with special affection Fidel, creator and promoter of a sports system accessible to all, we reiterate the praise for our athletes and we assume disagreements and weaknesses from what means the commitment to know that we are continuing his work.

CUBAN DELEGATION

Paris, August 11, 2024