PROUD of having given their best in each of their performances, the majority of the delegation that represented Cuba at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games returned to their homeland on Monday, led by five-time champion Mijaín López, author of an unprecedented and historic feat.

It was the Giant of Herradura himself and the young boxer Erislandy Álvarez, both crowned in the French capital, who were in charge of descending with the Lone Star flag from the aircraft that brought the athletes home.

Along with them arrived all the medallists, as well as exponents of other sports and the remaining members of the sports embassy, all with the feeling of having represented with dignity a people who followed each of their incursions, and shared with them joys and sorrows.

Waiting for them at José Martí International Airport, on the eve of the 98th anniversary of the birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, were several of the country’s main leaders, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee and President of the Republic.

The members of the Political Bureau, Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, and Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organisation of the Central Committee of the Party, were also present to welcome the guests.

They were joined by other members of the Political Bureau of the Party, the government, political and mass organisations, as well as the directors of Inder, sports glories, and especially Mijaín’s family, including his mother, Leonor.

On behalf of those who returned with their duty fulfilled, the talented Erislandy said that in Paris they competed inspired by the example of the best sons of the homeland, such as Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, «to whose thought and leadership we owe the birth and consolidation of our sports system».

On behalf of the athletes, coaches and other members of the delegation, the Cienfuegos fighter thanked them for the expressions of affection and respect they received from afar.

«It is an honour to have felt at the centre of the attention of millions of Cubans, who were present in each of our outings to the competition venues,» he added.

At the same time, he acknowledged that they are not satisfied with what they have achieved, that they wanted more, because what they have achieved will never be enough to repay the people.

«Know that we never lacked the courage and determination to win to respond to this sentiment and to our main leaders, who were always on our side,» he added.

The welcoming remarks were made by Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Perdomo Di Lella, who told the members of the Olympic delegation that Cuba and all its people welcome them with open arms.

«You return to Cuba with the satisfaction of having competed with dignity and adherence to the values of our sport, inspired by the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro,» he said.

Perdomo Di Lella reviewed the outstanding performance of each of the medallists and considered that Mijaín’s performance «put the name of Cuba on the highest of Olympus, with this extraordinary feat, the result of his dedication, courage, love of country and his high honour and commitment».

He also valued as exceptionally significant the congratulatory message issued by Army General Raúl Castro on the victory of the Pinar del Río gladiator, the telephone conversations and publications made by President Díaz-Canel, «who has been aware of every detail, of every athlete, which has been a constant inspiration and encouragement to move forward».

Regarding the results obtained in Paris 2024, he called to banish the discouragement that «those who take advantage of any circumstance to poison and attack the development of our sport as an achievement of the revolution», and have used the achievements of Cuban athletes representing other nations.

«It is up to us to make a critical analysis of each sport, of the potential and weaknesses that we have, and to go to the causes to strengthen the system of training athletes and the recruitment of talent from each community and sports team, in accordance with the principle of mass access that has characterised the Revolution,» added the deputy prime minister.

He did not miss the opportunity to express his gratitude for the expressions of solidarity and support received in France, especially for those responsible for the I am Cuba project in Tremblay, the place where the values of the island’s culture and idiosyncrasy were exhibited.

«A few hours before celebrating the 98th anniversary of the birth of Fidel, whom we always remember as the creator and promoter of sport in our country, we say welcome to the homeland,» said Perdomo Di-Lella before the start of a tour through various streets of Havana to the area of La Piragua, where a sea of people awaited their athletes to pay them well-deserved honour.