Amid escalating complaints about the challenging circumstances faced by several sports legends, the Cuban government has dismissed claims that any of these icons are being neglected, insisting they have institutional support. Speaking on the state-run program Mesa Redonda, Wilmer Lewis Calvo, the National Commissioner for Athlete Support, stated that the country has dedicated structures to assist them, rejecting the notion that these former athletes are abandoned, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
"Our sports legends are neither forgotten nor deceased. We uphold Fidel Castro's vision of keeping them active and involved in society," Lewis Calvo declared. While acknowledging existing dissatisfaction and the possibility of ex-athletes experiencing hardships, he emphasized that any reported issues would be addressed. "If someone is facing difficulties and we are unaware, we will find a solution through any means of communication," he assured.
These comments come amid growing discontent on social media, where Cubans have highlighted the dire conditions some national sports heroes endure, many lacking access to basic resources. In September 2024, reports emerged about Margarita Skeet, a celebrated figure in women's basketball, living in complete neglect and surviving only with the help of her neighbors in Cotorro, Havana.
In February 2023, Félix Isasi, a Cuban baseball legend, voiced his frustration over institutional neglect, with officials frequently avoiding his demands. In a statement to Matanzas's newspaper, Girón, he recounted his visits to sports entities seeking answers, only to be met with evasions: "I no longer hide the ball; now they hide it from me," quipped the former star second baseman, famous for surprising runners with hidden ball tricks.
In 2022, former world junior javelin champion Marisleysis Duharte Morell revealed the government's and sports authorities' neglect amid her struggle with a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease. The former athlete from Santiago recalled beginning her sports career as a "healthy, joyful, and vibrant person," yet after her illness, "no one remembers me, who I am, who I was, or what I contributed to the nation as an athlete."
A year earlier, the daughter of prominent former ballplayer Gaspar "El Curro" Pérez highlighted her father's abandonment, owning a car out of commission for 11 years with no replacement in sight. She acknowledged that other deserving sports legends and active athletes have their vehicles, but questioned why her father has never been considered or remembered.
Addressing the Neglect of Cuban Sports Legends
What is the Cuban government's stance on the alleged neglect of sports legends?
The Cuban government denies any neglect of sports legends, claiming they have institutional support and dedicated structures to assist them.
Who is Margarita Skeet and what is her situation?
Margarita Skeet is a celebrated figure in women's basketball who reportedly lives in neglect, surviving with the help of her neighbors in Cotorro, Havana.
How has Félix Isasi expressed his frustration with the authorities?
Félix Isasi, a Cuban baseball legend, has expressed frustration over institutional neglect, noting that officials often avoid responding to his demands.