Amidst ongoing power outages spanning several days in parts of Cuba and a wave of athletes defecting, the regime's propaganda engine remains relentless. Editorial En Vivo has released a digital book titled The Great Athlete: Memories of Cuba's Sporting Glories, a 327-page tribute glorifying Fidel Castro, through the personal accounts of legendary athletes.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 26, via the social media channels of the publishing house, which is affiliated with Cuban radio and television. Authored by Irma Cáceres and Ovidio Cabrera with assistance from Pável Otero, the book is available for purchase on the Ruthtienda platform in ePub or PDF formats.
This isn't entirely new: the original print version was unveiled on August 16, 2025, during the Sábado del Libro event at Havana's Plaza de Armas, marking the 99th anniversary of the dictator's birth. Now, with the centennial in full swing, the regime has repackaged this homage in an expanded digital format, aiming to reach more readers—and more screens.
The book’s commercial description on the sales platform doesn't hold back on praise. According to the promotional text, the athletes' testimonies recall "a great, imposing, intelligent, humble, human, playful, and demanding figure who left a lasting impact on their lives as a father, protector, and friend."
The closing paragraph delivers a statement encapsulating the entire campaign's spirit: "May these humble lines pay tribute to that great man whose imprint still lingers in the soul of a nation that still doesn't want to let go of his hand." Yet, this is a nation that has spent decades trying to literally let go—by crossing the Florida Strait.
This book is part of the flood of official tributes unveiled throughout 2026, a year the dictatorship designated as "The Year of the Centenary of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz." Recent events include the first International Colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and Future," held from August 10 to 13 with over 1,500 delegates from 63 countries, a special gala by the National Ballet of Cuba at the Avellaneda Hall dedicated to the centenary, and the inauguration of a children's house named "August 13" in Nuevitas, Camagüey. At the University of Havana, an academic declared, "Fidel never sees; Fidel gazes, devouring the world with the depth of his eyes."
The stark contrast with the reality of Cuban sports borders on surrealism. While the book celebrates the "profound impact" of the "Great Athlete" on athletes, in July 2026, nine out of twelve Cuban kayak team members defected in Montreal. In August, two fencers did not return after competing in the Dominican Republic. In May 2026, the National Baseball Commission suspended the Under-12, Under-15, and Under-18 national youth championships due to the energy crisis.
Meanwhile, the electrical deficit hit a historic high of 2,411 MW on August 4, 2026, with power cuts exceeding 80 consecutive hours in some areas of Matanzas. Nonetheless, the official tribute agenda is set to continue unabated until December 4, 2026, marking the tenth anniversary of Castro's burial at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba. The cult shows no signs of waning.
The Impact of Fidel Castro’s Legacy on Cuban Society
What is the significance of the book "The Great Athlete: Memories of Cuba's Sporting Glories"?
The book serves as a tribute to Fidel Castro, highlighting his influence on Cuban sports through the personal accounts of renowned athletes, and is part of a broader effort to commemorate his legacy.
How does the book's release contrast with the current state of Cuban sports?
The book's release contrasts sharply with the reality of Cuban sports, where many athletes are defecting and national competitions are being suspended due to the ongoing energy crisis.