Sports journalist and television host Carlos Hernández Luján has delivered a stark assessment of the downward trajectory of Cuban sports, highlighting a consistent decline in performance at the Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games, and the Olympics.
"Cuban sports are diminishing every four years, with fewer gold and silver medals in total. This pattern has been repeating for over two decades," stated Luján during the inaugural episode of the podcast Team Vívela, which was released on YouTube on June 19, 2026.
He further elaborated, "Performances are unlikely to improve or surpass previous events. It might even be challenging to match past results, as significant athletes have either emigrated or retired, leaving Cuban sports in a precarious state."
Challenges Facing Cuban Sports
Hernández Luján identified several factors contributing to this decline: the ongoing emigration of athletes, the retirement of key figures, limited participation in international competitions, low internal competitiveness, and reliance on local training facilities due to financial constraints.
"Much of the sports infrastructure in Cuba has deteriorated, primarily due to economic issues, which were once the cornerstone of our sports success," he emphasized.
Current State and Future Outlook
His comments are particularly relevant as Cuba ranks third in the medal tally at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, with 16 golds, 16 silvers, and 20 bronzes as of July 29, falling short of the official goal of at least 67 gold medals.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Hernández Luján remained pessimistic: "Matching the previous performance in Paris, in general terms, is a tall order. It's not just about gold; it's about podium finishes and overall medals."
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Cuba ended in 32nd place with only 2 golds and a total of 9 medals, marking its worst Olympic outcome since rejoining the Games in 1992.
"There was a time when you went to the Olympics expecting to win gold. That forecast is incredibly challenging today," lamented Hernández Luján, pointing out boxing, wrestling, some track and field events, judo, taekwondo, and canoeing as the sports with the best podium prospects for 2028.
Broader Criticism and Support for Luján's View
In the same podcast episode, veteran commentator Renier González joined the critique, offering a harsh assessment of Cuban soccer: "We are witnessing the worst moment for Cuban football," highlighting a complete disconnect between the Federation and the press, poor treatment of players like former captain Arichel Hernández, and a flawed communication strategy.
Data supports these bleak evaluations. The INDER reported that 109 athletes left the sports system in 2022, with another 78 following suit in 2023.
In a striking episode in July 2026, nine out of twelve members of the Cuban canoeing team defected in Montreal during a pre-Central American Games event, underscoring the crisis.
Hernández Luján concluded, "Unfavorable factors continue to hinder recovery and performance in major events for Cuban sports. While it may not be a dramatic fall, no significant improvement is expected," a perspective publicly echoed by Mijaín López in September 2025, acknowledging the profound crisis in Cuban athletics.
Challenges in Cuban Sports: Causes and Effects
What are the main factors contributing to the decline of Cuban sports?
The decline is largely attributed to athlete emigration, retirement of key figures, limited international competition, low internal competitiveness, and economic constraints affecting training facilities.
How did Cuba perform in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Cuba finished in 32nd place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing only 2 gold medals and a total of 9 medals, marking its worst performance since 1992.
Which sports have the best prospects for Cuba in the 2028 Olympics?
Boxing, wrestling, select track and field events, judo, taekwondo, and canoeing are anticipated to have the best chances for podium finishes in the 2028 Olympics.