Cuba receives its Olympic delegation after Paris 2024

HAVANA, Cuba, Aug 13 (ACN) Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel received tthe last group of the Cuban delegation that participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games upon their return this Monday night to the island.
Díaz-Canel led the emotional reception at Terminal 3 of José Martí International Airport, together with Esteban Lazo, president of the National Assembly of People's Power, and Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the CCPCC.




Greco-Roman wrestling legend Mijaín López, in the 130 kilograms (kg), winner of his fifth Olympic crown, to become the only athlete in history to have won gold in the same individual event in five editions under the five rings, headed the list of Cuban athletes who arrived in the Homeland.

His mother, his two sons and his brother came to welcome the legendary gladiator, an icon of world sport.

Also present was boxer Erislandy Álvarez (63.5 kg), who won the title in his division with a resounding success in the final against Frenchman Sofian Oumiha.

Among the sportswomen were freestyle gladiators Yusneylis Guzmàn (50 kg), who with her silver award became the first Cuban to reach the podium in the Olympic Games in wrestling, in addition to her teammate Milaymis Marín (76 kg), winner of the bronze.

Jorge Luis Perdomo, deputy prime minister, expressed at the ceremony the pride of having Cuban athletes who gave their all in every competition in search of victory.

You return to Cuba with the satisfaction of having competed with dignity and adherence to the values of our sport, inspired by the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, he said.

He also highlighted the feat achieved by Mijain López, which he described as a transcendental victory and a historic moment.

All the medalists in Paris 2024, along with the other athletes were received with joy, in a moment of many emotions, kisses, handshakes, hugs and several photographs.

Also on the flight arrived the highest authorities of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), including Osvaldo Vento, head of the delegation and head of that body, as well as Roberto Leon Richards, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee.

As part of the welcome, David Blanco sang Yo soy el punto cubano, while Cristofer Simpson sang Tiempo de Vencer, the official song of the delegation to the Parisian competition.

Then they moved along Rancho Boyeros Avenue in a caravan to La Piragua, the official venue of the welcome party, and along the way many people came out to greet them with enthusiasm and joy.

People gathered along 26th and 51st; 26th and Zoo; 26th and 41st; 26th and 37th; 26th and Zapata; 26th and 23rd; 23rd and 12th; 23rd and G; 23rd and L; 23rd and Malecon.

After 11 p.m., the activity would begin in La Piragua, scheduled to last until after midnight in anticipation of August 13, the 98th birthday of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz (1926-2016).

Cuba was represented by 61 athletes in 16 sports in the competition under the five rings, which concluded on Sunday, August 11.

The Cuban delegation had the goal of placing among the top 20 in the medal table by country, a goal that could not be achieved by placing 32nd among more than 200 nations.

In Paris 2024, the Caribbean nation had a harvest of two gold medals, one silver and six bronze, with highlights for wrestling (1-1-3) and boxing (1-0-1).