Cuban triple jumper Jordan Díaz receives Spanish nationality

The Cuban triple jumperJordan Diaz, who last Julyleft the national delegation in Spain, received Spanish nationality this Tuesday.

The Official State Gazette (BOE) published Royal Decree 107 of February 1, 2022, by which Spanish nationality is granted by letter of nature "in response to the exceptional circumstances that occur in Mr. Jordan Alejandro Díaz Fortún, and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers."

As reported by the magazineBrand, the 20-year-old athlete wants to settle in Spain, where he is "delighted", and aspires to represent that country in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will be his first major international competition after completing the three years he asks for World Athletics when changing nationality.

Díaz, 1.86 meters tall, has been training for two months at the Dream Team, under the orders of the CubanIvan Pedroso and to which they also belongYulimar Rojas andAna Peleteiro, gold and bronze respectively in the women's triple jump at the Tokyo Olympics.

Raúl Chapado, president of the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA), stated that it was a surprise to learn that the Cuban had requested nationality and admitted that his process has gone very quickly.

"Since he swears the flag, he will be able to compete as a Spaniard in our competitions, however. And he will be able to beat our records with all the right that a person has to transfer their reference and seek a better future," he expressed.

Chapado, former national triple jump record holder, assured that Jordan's integration into Pedroso's group is very good because "a future star needs to surround himself in these years with this type of great jumpers with whom he will be on a daily basis."

The president of the RFEA said that he does not know Díaz personally, although he is aware of his enormous talent.

"His marks are surprising. The Cubans had spoken wonderful things to me about him. And that he is training with Iván Pedroso, due to his past as an athlete and his present as a coach, is a guarantee. We must let him develop calmly ", he pointed.

Jordan, world junior champion and under 20 triple jump, did not compete in the Olympic Games in Japan, for which he was already qualified, thereby destroying one of the medals that Cuba considered most secure.

Born in Havana, the young man left the Cuban team that participated in the Castellón Meeting in 2021, without even competing in the event.

"He escaped at the airport before leaving for another tournament," announced sports journalist Andy Lans on his Twitter account.

Jordan took advantage of an oversight in the expedition at the Madrid airport to separate from the team. He hid in Zaragoza, where he came into contact with Ana Peleteiro, bronze in Tokyo, who brought him to the attention of the Spanish authorities.