They send Juantorena the distinction of the Gold Order of Merit awarded by World Athletics last year

The World Athletics (WA) sent the two-time Olympic champion Alberto Juantorena the distinction Order of Gold Merit, awarded last year and that the outstanding former athlete could not collect due to the health problems that have plagued him since 2022.

The golden necklace was received by the vice president of the Cuban Athletics Federation Maria Caridad Colon from the hands of Sebastian Coe, head of the international organization, within the framework of the Bahamas 2024 World Athletics Relay Championships.

“It is an honor for me to be the bearer of this important recognition and also for Cuban athletics that WA recognizes Alberto's dedication and work in this way. For many years he was the leader of our sport,” said María Caridad according to a note published in JIT.

WA's decision to award the distinction to Juantorena is supported by his merits on the courts and his leadership in the development of the beautiful sport on the planet.

Juantorena's health began to deteriorate in 2022 when he had complications from Covid-19 disease and dengue. For several months he was admitted to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine of Havana with complications consisting of bronchopneumonia and cardiovascular decompensation.

At the end of last year, a new health problem affects the former athlete, and is convalescing at home in a wheelchair and with difficulties speaking, according to information from the independent digital media. Cubanet.

A recent photo of Juantorena showed that the current state is still delicate.

In the image - released by Cubanet- Juantorena appears sitting in a wheelchair photographed next to Roberto Vargas Lee, director of the Cuban Wushu School.

“The two-time Olympic champion Alberto Juantorena has not recovered his health, he still needs a wheelchair even to move around his home and continues to have speech anomalies,” the aforementioned media revealed based on the testimony of sources close to the national athletic world.

Therefore, when presenting the recognition, Coe asked to convey the feeling of gratitude towards Juantorena but, in addition, he sent wishes for a speedy recovery.