MIJAÍN LÓPEZ AND IDALYS ORTIZ: CUBA'S FLAG BEARERS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN PARIS 2024

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MIJAÍN LÓPEZ AND IDALYS ORTIZ: CUBA’S FLAG BEARERS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN PARIS 2024

Jun 26, 2024

Cuba’s delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be headed by two of its greatest sports exponents: Mijaín López in Greco-Roman wrestling and Idalys Ortiz in judo, who were chosen as flag bearers for this important Olympic event.

The designation of both athletes reaffirms their status among Cuba’s most respected and admired athletes.

Idalys Ortiz, an outstanding Cuban judo player, will also assume the notorious role of carrying the flag in Paris 2024. With a career that includes four Olympic participations and a collection of medals ranging from bronze in Beijing 2008 to silver in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020, in addition to gold in London 2012, Ortiz is an emblematic figure of women’s judo worldwide.

Mijaín López, recognized as one of the most successful Greco-Roman wrestlers of all time, will be looking to make history in Paris by seeking his fifth Olympic gold medal in the 130 kg category. Since his golden debut in Beijing 2008, he has dominated his discipline with an impressive series of victories, breaking records and establishing himself as a symbol of Cuban sport.

¡¡¡Leyenda MIJAÍN!!! 🐐🇨🇺#Oro – Pekín 2008#Oro – Londres 2012#Oro – Río 2016#Oro – #Tokyo2020 #JuegosOlímpicos #wrestling pic.twitter.com/FNtpyuBplK
— Los Juegos Olímpicos (@juegosolimpicos) August 2, 2021

Lopez has been Cuba’s flag bearer on several occasions, reflecting not only his sporting excellence but also his leadership and role as a role model for new generations of Cuban athletes.

The Cuban Olympic Committee has underscored the importance of this dual designation, ratifying Cuba’s commitment to equality and sporting excellence.

With 47 athletes already qualified in 13 different sports and the expectation of reaching 60 before the closing of the qualification process, the Cuban delegation is preparing to compete with determination.

In addition to Mijaín and Idalys, other outstanding athletes such as boxer Julio César La Cruz, Greco-Roman wrestler Luis Alberto Orta and triple jumper Leyanis Pérez are ready to compete in Paris, each with the goal of adding more medals to Cuba’s sporting record.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Cuba won a total of 15 medals, seven of them gold, three silver and five bronze, placing fourteenth in the standings. That was the Caribbean country’s best Olympic result in 20 years, surpassing its records from Beijing 2008 (three golds, ten silvers and 17 bronzes); London 2012 (5, 7 and 15) and Rio de Janeiro 2016 (5, 2 and 4).

_{^{Idalys Ortiz, winner of the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, during the fight for the final medal (Credit: Supplied).}}

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, and the Cuban delegation hopes to improve its performance and position in the medal standings compared to previous editions.

_{^{Written by Lilyan Cid}}

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