MADRID, Spain.- The Cuban delegation concluded its participation in the Paris Paralympic Games 2024 in the 24th place of the overall medal table, after obtaining 10 medals: six gold, three silver and one bronze. This result, which is surprising given the evident sporting decline of the Island in recent years, marks an improvement compared to Tokyo 2020, where Cuba finished in 35th place with only six medals.
With 21 athletes competing in eight disciplines, the Cuban team at the Paralympic Games that concluded on Sunday met the expectations of its sports authorities, who aspired to be among the top 25 countries and win at least ten medals. This performance in Paris represents the fourth best in Cuba’s nine Paralympic participations.
The star of the team was, without a doubt, the sprinter Omara Durand, Durand, who closed his sporting career with a golden hat-trick. At 32 years old, Durand won the titles in the 100, 200 and 400 metres in the T12 category, intended for athletes with visual impairments. Together with his guide, Yuniol Kindelán, he accumulated 11 gold medals throughout his outstanding Paralympic career.
In addition to Durand, Robiel Yankiel Sol stood out, who was crowned in the long jump (T47), Guillermo Varonachampion in javelin throw (F46), and Yunier Fernandezwho surprised by winning Cuba’s first Paralympic title in table tennis (S1). Fernández, who suffers from a severe disability in his legs, defeated defending champion Robert Davies of Britain in straight sets.
The silver medals went to Yamel Luis Vives in the 100 meters (T44), the paraweightist Pablo Ramirez, who set a personal best by lifting 185 kg in her Paralympic debut, and parajudoka Sheyla Hernández in the over 70 kg category (S2). The bronze medal went to Ulicer Aguilera in the javelin throw (F13).
Cuba concluded its participation in the Paralympics with a performance superior to that of the Olympics, held a month earlier, where it ranked 32nd in the medal table. The Olympic delegation, made up of 61 athletes in 16 disciplines, won only nine medals (two gold, one silver and six bronze), the lowest haul for the Island since Munich 1972, and its lowest number of golds since Beijing 2008.
