Cuba’s Havana, August 13, ACN The final group of the Cuban delegation that competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was welcomed back to the island by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel late Monday evening.
Alongside Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, and Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the CCPCC, Díaz-Canel led the emotional welcome at Terminal 3 of José Martí International Airport.
Headlining the list of Cuban athletes who arrived in the homeland was Greco-Roman wrestling hero Mijaín López, who won his fifth Olympic gold in the 130 kg weight class, making history’s only athlete to win gold in the same individual sport in five editions under the five rings.
His mother, his two sons, and his brother arrived to greet the fabled gladiator, a global sports figure.
Boxer Erislandy Álvarez (63.5 kg) was also there. He defeated Frenchman Sofian Oumiha in the final to win the title in his division.
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, and her teammate Milaymis Marín (76 kg), who won the bronze. Jorge Luis Perdomo, deputy prime minister, expressed pride in having Cuban athletes who gave it 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 also emphasized Mijain Lopez’s accomplishment, calling it a historic moment and a transcendental win.
Together with the other athletes, all of the medalists from Paris 2024 were greeted with excitement and kisses, hugs, handshakes, and multiple photos.
Osvaldo Vento, the leader of the delegation and the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder), as well as Roberto Leon Richards, the president of the Cuban Olympic Committee, came on the same flight.
David Blanco performed Yo soy el punto cubano as part of the welcome, while Cristofer Simpson sung Tiempo de Vencer, the delegation’s official song for the Paris competition.
Then, as they traveled in a caravan down Rancho Boyeros Avenue to La Piragua, the designated location of the welcoming party, many people stopped to enthusiastically and joyfully greet them.
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, and 23rd and Malecon, people gathered.
The event would start in La Piragua after 11 p.m. and continue until after midnight in honor of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz’s 98th birthday on August 13 (1926-2016).
Sixty-one athletes from Cuba competed in sixteen different sports during the competition under the five rings, which ended on Sunday, August 11.
Placing 32nd out of more than 200 nations fell short of the Cuban delegation’s goal of finishing among the top 20 in the medal table by country.
The Caribbean country brought home two gold, one silver, and six bronze medals from Paris 2024, with wrestling (1-1-3) and boxing (1-0-1) bringing home the most hardware.