2024-05-08 17:31:33
In Burkina Faso he had a “unique” experience, because despite earning money that would be impossible in Cuba, he moved away from his family. (Photo © Yumileidy Cumbá – Facebook)
Yumileidy Cumbá, Olympic shot put champion, has bad omens for the Cuban athletics delegation that will attend the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
According to the gold medalist in Athens 2004, sport on the Island is going through “a challenging stage,” which is why it is very difficult for any of the athletes to achieve an Olympic title.
During a recent interview with Play Off Magazine, Cumbá, who retired from active sports in 2008, said that his discouraging predictions are based on the disappointing results of the last two world championships. The former athlete, originally from Guantánamo, noted that “the hopes of achieving a significant result in the near future are slim.”
“Athletics, along with boxing, wrestling and judo, has always been one of Cuba’s emblematic sports in the Olympic Games. These sports have elevated Cuba to high levels on the world stage. However, today, our condition is not the same as in previous years,” lamented the 49-year-old woman.
The above, largely due to the continuous desertion of promising talents who seek better opportunities abroad, even becoming nationalized by another country and competing under another flag.
However, Cumbá points out that Cuba is fertile land for great sports. “We have many promising young players who still need to mature and improve.” This is due to her perspective as her coach, where she continues to provide knowledge despite the complex economic and work conditions.
For example, she said that after returning from a mission in Africa there is no permanent coaching position in the Cuban Athletics Federation. “In 2019, I went on a mission to Africa and returned in April 2023. Now I am exploring how to return to my job, although I will continue to provide service, since there is no position available,” Combá explained.
In Burkina Faso he had a “unique” experience, because despite earning money that would be impossible in Cuba, he moved away from his family. “Going on mission has a significant economic impact for us, retired athletes. It also offers an opportunity for our families. However, it also implies isolation from our loved ones. When I left, my daughter was 11 years old. She is now 14. The separation was complicated, but over time she understood that it was the best,” she said.
Cumba complains about the Ordering Task that destroyed the stipends
The Olympic champion also complained during the interview that the Ordering Task, implemented by the communist government that eliminated the CUC, came to destroy the lifetime stipends that the Cuban Olympic champions received.
“Previously, we received a salary of 300 CUC, but with the economic transformation, the CUC disappeared and that is no longer relevant. Our salary and standard of living have changed drastically since then. The life we lead today is difficult and complicated. However, we remain hopeful that the situation will improve at some point. Yes, I have faith that it will be resolved,” he stated.
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