MADRID, Spain. On July 27, the first day after the opening of the Olympic Games in Madrid, Paris 2024, There are several Cubans who will be in action, both those competing with the island’s delegation and those competing under other flags. Until now, the only Cuban competing had been the archer Hugo FrancoHere is a summary of what the day will bring.
Cuban delegation
Beach volleyball: The duo formed by Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Diaz will face Americans Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, who are ranked fourth in the world. This match is crucial in Group D, which also includes Brazil and Morocco.
The competition follows a 24-team system, where the top-ranked teams advance to the round of 16 and then to the knockout rounds until the semi-finalists and medalists are determined.
Alayo and Díaz, who have been defeated by the Americans on two occasions, secured their ticket to Paris at the beginning of last June, by adding 7,800 points in the world ranking.
Sport’s shot: Laina Pérez, winner of the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Lima 2019 and the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023, will compete in the 10-meter air pistol event this Saturday. The 35-year-old from Matanzas made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
Table tennis: In mixed doubles, the Cuban pair formed by Jorge Moisés Campos and Daniela Fonseca will face the Swedes Karlsson and Kallberg. In addition, in the men’s singles category, Andy Pereira will face the Brazilian Hugo Canterano in the first round, seeking to advance in the tournament.
Boxing: Erislandy Álvarez will compete in the 63.5 kg category against John Ume from Papua New Guinea. The Cienfuegos native, world runner-up, will be the first of the five Cuban boxers to step into the ring.
Rowing: Reidy Cardona Blanco will compete in the men’s single sculls at 3 a.m. ET, while Yariulvis Cobas will compete in the women’s single sculls at 4:12 a.m. ET. Both will try to get through the qualifying stage and advance in their respective categories.
Cubans under other flags
Judo: Maria Celia Laborderepresenting the United States in the 48 kg category, will debut against China’s Guo Zongjing. Laborde, 33, is ranked 11th in the world rankings with 3,956 points and is looking to make a name for herself in her first participation in these Olympic Games.
Men’s Volleyball: Two great Cuban volleyball players, and the only ones (male) born on the island present at the Olympics, compete in Group B this Saturday. Wilfredo León, considered by many to be the best volleyball player in the world, plays for Poland and will face Egypt. While Yoandy Leal, winner of the World Cup with Brazil, will play against Italy.
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