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Content
Introduction: From power to survival
Cuban sport, once pride and symbol of revolutionary excellence, leafs through its agony under the burden of a serious economic and structural crisis. What was a system of massiveness and medals —with boxing and struggle as pillars— today shows deteriorated facilities and massive flight of talent. In addition, the results embarrass even their legends.
The basis of collapse: Everyday hell for athletes
Lack of basic inputs: deflated balls, broken nets, gyms without electricity. The Inder cannot guarantee the elemental, from transport to uniforms.
Food in crisis: The specialized diet, which was key in the golden age, is an extinct privilege today. Many athletes suffer caloric deficit during their training.
Infrastructure in ruins: The Higher School of Athletic Improvement (ESPA) and other emblematic centers reflect systemic abandonment and progressive deterioration.
The Sports Diaspora: Exodus of Talents
Alarming figures: In 2023, more than 200 high-performance athletes left Cuba, according to unofficial sources. This includes youth baseball and athletics medalists.
Coaches on the run: The departure of technicians, particularly in boxing, has taken away quality. Also, it affects the continuity of the formation of new generations.
Paris 2024: The crudest reflection of decadence
Cuba finished in 32nd place in the medal table, the worst position since Rome 1960. It achieved only 2 golds against the 9 of Tokyo 2021.
Boxing: The ‘flagship’ won only one gold medal, thanks to Erislandy Álvarez at 63.5 kg.
Athletics: No Olympic podiums for the first time from Mexico 1968.
Fight: 3 bronzes, a silver and the historic fifth Olympic gold of the penta-champion Mijaín López in Greco-Roman.
Mijaín López: The voice of experience and urgency
The Olympic five-time champion summarized his vision crudely and forcefully in an interview with AFP: ‘Without professionalization and openness to sponsorships, Cuba will continue to be a ghost in world sport.’ His phrase expresses a painful paradox: the system that led him to glory now suffocates his successors.
Conclusion: Is there salvation for the “revolutionary sport”?
The government maintains a closed and centralized model. Meanwhile, solutions such as professionalization, private investment and talent retention meet ideological barriers. Time runs against; Every day Cuba loses ground to regional rivals such as Brazil and Mexico. The question is not whether the decline will continue, but how much will remain to be rescued when it’s time to wake up.
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