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After having been unjustly expelled as head coaches of the Cuban national artistic gymnastics teams, Carlos Rafael Gil and Yareimi Vázquez have propelled their beautiful sport to star levels in Panama.
With their eyes set on an even more promising future, the couple enjoys their successes alongside their family. This Olympic year of 2024 has been significant for Panamanian gymnastics, to the extent that Carlos Rafael has been nominated as the "Best Coach in Latin America" by the magazine Gimnasia Latina.
Yes, indeed. It has been a very long year, filled with hard work but also constant results; exhausted, but happy for everything accomplished and motivated by what lies ahead.
And, of course, Paris was a great experience: it was the first time a gymnast from Panama qualified on her own for the Olympic Games.
Paris... I could tell you so many things, but it's really difficult to express what I feel and what it means to me! Happy for myself, happy for my gymnasts, happy to have helped Hillary Heron achieve her dream.
Hillary placed 14th in the jumping event and performed the "Biles" element on the floor, which has only been executed by Simone Biles herself and my student.
Before Paris, the World Cup events were an ideal stage for judges and the audience to assess the level of Panamanian artistic gymnastics.
The World Cups (Egypt, Cottbus, Azerbaijan, and Doha) were part of a period of continuous growth that greatly contributed to the development of the gymnasts. I can tell you this: it wasn't just beneficial for the three who participated in the circuit, but also for the younger ones, as it has been proven that we can compete at the highest level and go head-to-head with the leading figures in the world.
Karla Navas finished as the first alternate in the Olympic qualifying rankings, just one step away from Paris. I expect great things from her in 2025.
I know that in 2024 you were able to introduce new elements in the tapestries of the world
Indeed, the introduction of new elements is something that greatly motivates me, as I enjoy the new, the challenge, creating... For any professional, creating something new will always be significant in their career, and helping your gymnasts immortalize their name in the sport with a new element is truly fulfilling.
I constantly evaluate the possibility of doing different things; I enjoy that and it motivates me to always strive for the best. For now, we are still exploring the option of creating a few more. Hillary already has her name in the code, as she managed to implement a new element on the ground that bears her surname, "The Heron."
Tell me about your key figures, who, after 2024, are already known in the gymnastics world—something very important when it comes to being evaluated.
Hillary Heron, Karla Navas, and Lana Herrera continue to lead the group. The three have achieved notable results in World Cups, Pan American Games, South American Games, and Central American Games.
But it’s not just the senior team; both you and Yareimi have worked in the reserve, meaning the youth and pre-youth selections.
Of course, without a foundation, there is no superstructure. The youth team also had a year full of good results, with Alyiah Lide as the main figure. They won the gold medal in the team event at the Bolivarian Games, where Alyiah dominated the all around and Ana Lucía Beitía secured second place.
In addition to that, at the Pacific Rim Championship, Alyiah managed to reach the top of the podium in all events. Alongside her, we work with two very talented girls, Ana Gabriela Gutiérrez and Susan Madera, who have tremendous potential that allows us to dream big.
The next Olympic cycle, which we have been working on for a few months, could be wonderful for Panamanian gymnastics. Great surprises may come; Yare and I have very high expectations.
Happy with the family gathered in your new little house in Panama?
Yes. Having my parents here brings me peace of mind; it's one less worry, since being in Cuba it's hard not to be concerned about them. And my little girl growing up, she is the driving force that motivates me.
Tell me about the academy, does it resemble the one they had when they started in 2021?
The academy is growing; always committed to high performance and the development of gymnastics as a lifestyle and a tool for personal growth and training for girls and teenagers. The support from the Panamanian Federation and the Olympic Committee is something that continues and is greatly appreciated, as it is very rewarding to know that they support all the efforts being made.
What does 2025 hold for them in terms of the competitive landscape?
I'm getting it all set up: the Pan American Championship in Panama in June and the World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October, which are the most important events. Also, the second Youth Pan American Games in August in Paraguay.
Sadness for not being able to do that great work in Cuba? Although during the time you were there, both you and Yareimi made significant contributions..
No sadness whatsoever. That chapter is closed. There is no room for sadness or negative thoughts. I wish all the Cuban people and their gymnasts a great future, so they can grow and progress. I hold no resentment in my heart! I feel happy, although I still have a lot of work to do.
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