Controversy in the local athletics

#Sports #Athletics #Cuba #Pollemic #Contracting #AthleticClubs #Opinion #Migration

Cuba's National Commissioner of Athletics, Yipsi Moreno, at a press conference. Image taken from a screenshot of the original video.

Recently, the National Commissioner of Athletics in Cuba, Yipsi Moreno, appeared before the media to analyze some current issues regarding the hiring of athletes in other countries and the exodus of well-known figures.

The former star hammer player referred, among other topics, to the need to readapt the current strategies existing on the island to insert the members of the federation she directs in other foreign leagues of high level and, above all, to change a mentality that has lasted for more than six decades.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic champion also explained how the recruitment of athletes abroad works and demystified the much-talked-about freebies. In Spain, she said, very few foreigners are accepted, and they are not paid a salary nor are they guaranteed accommodation or any prize.

Likewise, Yipsi Moreno mentioned the cases of sprinter Reynier Mena (recently ranked among the top 10 runners of all time by stopping the clocks at an impressive 19.63 in 200 meters) and hurdler Roger Valentín Iribarne, who play for the Portuguese club S.L Benfica and could compete for their nation of origin if they so request.

However, the controversy immediately reached the social networks when both athletes made statements to the Youtube channel Para Cuba y el Mundo, managed by decathlonist Leonel Suárez and marathon runner Norbert Gutiérrez, referring to the non-existence of any contact with them.

In words published by the digital magazine Play Off Magazine, both denied having incurred in any of the expenses referred to by the Cuban athletics commissioner, since "the club was in charge of paying for everything, whether it was for our arrival, food, lodging, medical exams and salary". On our account, they added, is the payment of taxes, as it is mandatory in each country.

Press conference of the National Commissioner of Athletics in Cuba, Yipsi Moreno (taken from Deporcuba TV's Youtube channel).	Statements by Reynier Mena and Roger Iribarne to the Youtube channel Para Cuba y el Mundo, managed by Leonel Suárez and Norbert Gutiérrez (Burundun).

Regardless of who is right or wrong in their statements, I agree with the three-time world champion in the hammer Yipsi Moreno. It is necessary to change an obsolete mentality and stagnant in useless recipes. World sport moves at another rhythm that has nothing to do with the Cuban one. Athletes cannot be denied the possibility of seeking competitions and beneficial financial options.

Collect him as a federation for training or image rights, but do not cut short his career and/or aspirations. Do not force him to leave his family behind in search of what you can legally guarantee him. Do not deprive him of what he has achieved -economically speaking- for his effort and dedication during countless hours. The athlete and no one else should be the big winner in this "struggle".

Look for mechanisms so that, as it happens in other sports, they feel proud to represent the land where they were born. For the inhabitants of the island to shout with joy when they see them compete with the best in the world or break old records and celebrate with the Cuban flag on high and not that of the nation that welcomed them.

Note: The images used in the gallery were taken from Reynier Mena's Facebook profile and from Revista Atletismo in the case of Roger Valentín Iribarne.