Cuban Athletes Triumph in Paris 2024 Despite Government's Lack of Support, Says Díaz-Canel

President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the government is not allocating enough resources to sports in Cuba, but downplayed the issue, stating that a dedicated populace will support athletes to achieve glory. "Congratulations, dear medalists of Paris 2024. Behind your triumphs, there are no great resources, but there is the enormous sacrifice of a nation of athletes who have never stopped dreaming of Olympic glory. Like Mijaín, who could touch it five times. His courage inspires," said Díaz-Canel.

Poor Performance at Paris 2024 Olympics

Cuba ranked 32nd in the medal table at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Cuban athletes won a total of two gold medals, one silver, and six bronze. This result fell significantly short of the forecasts announced by the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER). The performance did not surpass that of Tokyo 2020, where the island ranked 14th, securing seven golds, three silvers, and five bronzes.

Several factors contributed to the poor results in Paris. First and foremost is the exodus of athletes. Many of them competed at the Olympics representing other nations. CiberCuba conducted an analysis on this topic, revealing that if those medals had been for Cuba, the country would have ranked 22nd.

However, this result is also worse than Tokyo's, leading us to consider other factors affecting Cuba's declining position in international sports. Among these factors is the "lack of resources." With sports under state control, most facilities are in disrepair, lacking new technologies, and equipped with insufficient, old, and broken training materials.

Athletes often lack basic clothing and footwear for training. Gyms are outdated, and mats and floors are dusty, smelly, and worn out. The grass on the fields is dry, full of holes, and uneven. Locker rooms are practically four walls with a bench. In most cases, showers and toilets don't work properly. There are no saunas, ice baths, or any form of comfort.

Water sports sometimes lack pools for training. Rowing, kayaking, and sailing have insufficient boats, and those available are often restored. There is also no transport for athletes, who must travel on their own from sports centers to schools and then to their homes. The athletes' diet is poor.

International competitions, essential for developing skills to surpass competitors, are nearly nonexistent. INDER has even canceled participation in events when athletes are ready to go, completely demotivating them. Considering this harsh reality, it's understandable that renowned Cuban coaches are concerned about the future of sports in Cuba and consider it a miracle that the island ranks 32nd globally. The achievements speak not of the people's sacrifice but of the dedication and talent of a few athletes who, despite everything their government denies them, manage to overcome obstacles and win medals.

Each Cuban medal in Paris 2024 should be seen by Díaz-Canel as a true act of defiance, a testament to what the Cuban people could achieve if they stopped worrying about rationed food and focused on overcoming all barriers to "dream of glory."