By Alejandra Garcia on August 8, 2024, from Havana
photo: Ricardo Lopez Hevia
Mijaín López has taken Cuba’s name to the top in the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, in France. on Tuesday, the Greco-Roman wrestling athlete won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, a feat never seen before, admirable, especially for an athlete who is about to turn 41 years old. At a distance of 7,846 kilometers from this Caribbean island, Bartolo’s son, a native of Pinar del Rio, defeated his teammate and friend Yasmani Acosta from Chile, 6-0 in the 130 kilograms.
We were with him on the sands of the Champ-de-Mars. Five minutes in which all of Cuba cheered from their homes, workplaces, for the invincible giant. We raised our fists and got up from our seats. And like all of Cuba, those who were lucky to witness Mijain live and direct also lived with him every push and every effort.
All the tension was in the center of that venue; anticipating. People could not sit still in their seats, and they swayed with anxiety at each movement. They cheered for the Hero in French, Spanish, English, and all languages. Lopez, Lopez! Those chants were heard seconds before the victory. A few days earlier, a giant Mijain poster was displayed around the Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic and most visited points of the city. Everyone there knew they would be witnessing an historic moment.
“Cuba was Mijain tonight and he knows it. He planted himself like an oak tree in the center of the mat, right where the Parisian logo is placed, and from there he poured his strength and his lineage into his legs and arms, face and skin,” said Cuban journalist Oscar Figueredo, who was part of the Cuban delegation to the sporting event in Paris.
One of the most emotional moments of the competition was when the giant advanced to the center of the arena. He threw himself on the floor and kissed it. He took his shoes off in tears and placed them perfectly side by side. He left them there and slowly retreated towards his coaches, who were also waiting for him with tears in their eyes, clutching the Cuban flag. He said goodbye to competitions, and Cuba hugged him symbolically.
Tributes were not long in coming after the victory. As Mijain walked from the mat for the last time he was met by Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, who came up to him to recognize his sacrifice and talent. Only then was he able to advance slowly amid the turmoil generated by his presence. Hundreds of journalists, athletes, coaches, and volunteers wanted to be close to the champion.
On social networks, there was nothing else to talk about but Mijain’s victory. Friends, families, and a whole country shared messages of pride. “How beautiful to be Cuban, and to coincide in time with a giant like Mijain,” agreed the users. President Miguel Díaz-Canel also shared on his official X account: “Your victory is the most important sporting event of the Games. You are an exemplary Cuban and revolutionary.”
photo: Sarah Phipps, USA today
The most admirable characteristic of Mijain is not just his strength but also his kindness. Everyone who knows him agrees that he is one more among all Cubans, humble and close. That is why his first words after the victory were of gratitude.
“I dedicate the triumph to all the human beings who have contributed to my triumphs and have helped me to stay on this path for so many years… Also, I’m grateful to all those young people who have inspired me. I feel happy to be Cuban and to have carried the Cuban flag so many times, and to have given this medal to our delegation,” he commented minutes later.
Mijain Lopez knows that achieving this victory is the result of a lot of personal effort, but also of his family roots, and of the opportunities that Cuba has also created for athletes like him, who come from humble families, to dream of achieving a gold medal at 5 consecutive Olympic Games.
Cuba is filled with pride for your strength, love and perseverance Mijain.. Congratulations, Champion.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English