On the eve of competing for his fifth Olympic gold, Cuban wrestler Mijaín López had a telephone conversation with Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, assuring him that he will defend his title at the Paris 2024 Games.
"Thank you for your call. Rest assured that tomorrow that title will belong to Cuba," said Mijaín to the leader designated by General Raúl Castro and head of a "continuity" that also uses sports as a propaganda tool.
After defeating the Azerbaijani Sabah Shariati (4-1) this Monday to secure a spot in the grand final of the 130 kilograms in Greco-Roman style, the "Giant of Herradura" gave a statement to the press in which he greeted the Cuban fans and assured them "that a promise is a debt."
Champion of the Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020 games, at 41 years old, Mijaín will face his compatriot Yasmani Acosta, 36 years old, who competes under the colors of Chile, this Tuesday.
"I have always kept my word with the people of Cuba. I'm happy to bring this joy to the people. I know that everyone is captivated in front of their televisions, admiring the son of the homeland, Mijaín López," said the four-time Olympic champion.
With only one guaranteed bronze medal (that of the boxer Arlén López, who could not be crowned for the third time at the Olympics), Cuba is currently in 66th place in the Olympic medal table, flanked by Cape Verde and Egypt.
The drought of titles, one of the most pressing in its Olympic history, has mobilized the propaganda machinery of the Palace, which has deployed a range of support for the veteran wrestler on social media.
From the not-first lady, Lis Cuesta Peraza, to the national coordinator of the CDR, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, leaders and state media have expressed their support for Mijaín, a wrestler who embodies the quintessence of the so-called "revolutionary sport."
In addition to being a champion in his specialty, Mijaín has been the flag bearer for the Olympic delegation at previous events, an honor he did not repeat at this Olympics for "sporting reasons." He was replaced by the boxer Julio César La Cruz, better known by his nickname La Sombra, and for his proven loyalty to the Cuban regime, expressed with shouts of "homeland and death" in the ring.
No less fervent in his ideological inclinations is Mijaín, who this Tuesday will face a rival who was once his teammate on the Cuba team until he decided not to return to the Island and build a successful career as an athlete in Chile.
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