The Cuban team has achieved its worst performance in the Olympic Games since Tokyo 1964. This downfall is largely a consequence of the economic reforms initiated by Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2021, which have exacerbated the absolute crisis that has plagued Cuba since the so-called "special period," increasing poverty and abandonment among Cubans.
Crisis Impact on Olympic Performance
The effect of this crisis on these results is twofold:
Economic Crisis: The lack of resources for athlete training, along with the destruction of stadiums, tracks, pools, and sports centers, makes training more challenging than ever. This also prevents them from competing in international events to gain the necessary experience for a competition like the Olympics. Ultimately, the lack of adequate nutrition for high-performance athletes has closed the cycle that impacted the prospects of Cuban athletes in the 2024 Olympics.
Emigration: Additionally, the crisis on the island drives young Cubans to emigrate, including athletes. This is reflected in the eight medals won by Cubans for other countries, which, when added to those won by Cuba, could have placed the nation in the 22nd spot on the Paris 2024 medal table. However, Cuba only secured nine medals, raising an important question:
Will these medalists stay on the island?
Cuba's situation will not change as long as the Castro-Canel regime remains in power. This will prompt medalists to consider emigrating in the coming years. Like any other Cuban, many other athletes from the island will also choose to emigrate. It is a human right to emigrate in search of new and better opportunities. Cheap patriotism will not deter those who strive every day to be better.
They will decide to emigrate; athletic careers are short, and other countries will value their talents infinitely more. The alternative is selling their medals to afford food when their careers end and they fall into official oblivion.
Understanding Cuba's Olympic Performance
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the factors influencing Cuba's performance in the Olympics and the broader implications.
Why did Cuba's Olympic performance decline?
Cuba's Olympic performance declined due to economic reforms initiated by Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2021, which worsened the ongoing crisis in the country. This included a lack of resources for training, destruction of sports facilities, and inadequate nutrition for athletes.
How has the economic crisis affected Cuban athletes?
The economic crisis has led to insufficient training resources, destroyed sports infrastructure, and poor nutrition for athletes, negatively impacting their performance in international competitions like the Olympics.
What role does emigration play in Cuba's Olympic results?
Emigration significantly impacts Cuba's Olympic results as many young athletes leave the country in search of better opportunities. This results in talented athletes winning medals for other countries instead of Cuba.