The Cuban athletics scene is set to make a momentous impact at the 2026 Diamond League Final, which will take place on September 4 and 5 at Brussels' King Baudouin Stadium during the Allianz Memorial Van Damme event.
A remarkable total of ten athletes, originally hailing from Cuba, have secured spots in the most prestigious event of the regular season on the global circuit, as highlighted by sports journalist Raúl Rodríguez on social media.
This contingent of Cuban origin is split into three categories: five compete under the banner of the Cuban Athletics Federation, three as independent athletes, and two representing Portugal and Italy.
Representing Cuba will be Leyanis Pérez and Liadagmis Povea in the women's triple jump, Lázaro Martínez in the men's triple jump, Jorge Hodelín in the long jump, and Roxana Gómez in the 400 meters.
Pérez arrives as one of the standout competitors following a dominant season: she is a three-time world champion in the triple jump, winning titles at the 2025 Tokyo Outdoor World Championships (14.94 m), the 2025 Nanjing Indoor World Championships (14.93 m), and the 2026 Toruń Indoor World Championships (14.95 m). She also shares the circuit lead in her specialty with 28 points alongside Senegal's Saly Sarr.
Meanwhile, Hodelín clinched his place in the final after finishing fourth in Zurich with a jump of 8.32 meters, just one centimeter shy of the podium.
The three independent athletes heading to Brussels include Davisleydi Velazco (triple jump), Reynier Mena (200 meters), and Kendry Menéndez (110-meter hurdles). Velazco ranks third in the women's triple jump standings of the Diamond League with 27 points, while Menéndez is seventh in the 110-meter hurdles.
Rounding out the group are two athletes competing under different flags: Olympic champion Pedro Pablo Pichardo, representing Portugal, and Andy Díaz, representing Italy. Díaz enters as the reigning indoor world champion and European champion from Birmingham 2026, where he leaped 18.15 meters, the fourth-best mark in the event's history.
The triple jump remains a showcase for the island's athletic prowess: six out of the ten qualified athletes compete in this discipline—Pérez, Povea, Velazco, Martínez, Pichardo, and Díaz—underscoring the enduring strength of a school that continues to define the global elite in jumping events.
The Brussels final, marking the 50th edition of the Memorial Van Damme in 2026, will offer $2.24 million in prize money, the largest purse in the circuit's 17-year history.
Each event will award between $60,000 and $100,000, with individual winners able to take home up to $60,000. Beyond the financial rewards, each event champion will receive the prestigious Diamond Trophy and direct entry into the World Athletics Ultimate World Championship.
“The presence of ten athletes born in Cuba, despite their diverse athletic paths today, once again highlights the significant influence of the Cuban school of athletics on the international elite, particularly in jumping events.”
Key Insights on Cuban Athletes at the Diamond League Final
How many Cuban-born athletes are competing in the Diamond League Final?
A total of ten athletes born in Cuba are set to compete in the event.
Which events will Cuban athletes participate in during the final?
Cuban athletes will participate in events such as the triple jump, long jump, 400 meters, 200 meters, and 110-meter hurdles.
What achievements does Leyanis Pérez have in the triple jump?
Leyanis Pérez is a three-time world champion in the triple jump, having secured titles at the 2025 Tokyo Outdoor World Championships, the 2025 Nanjing Indoor World Championships, and the 2026 Toruń Indoor World Championships.