The Cuban delegation won its first two gold medals today at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, following the golden medals earned by its two flag bearers: long jumper Robiel Yankiel Sol and star sprinter Omara Durand, who defended their titles.
At the Stade de France, Robiel Yankiel Sol won a medal in the long jump with a leap of 7.41 meters in the final of the T47 category, allowing him to surpass the Chinese athlete Wang Hao (7.32) and the Russian Nikita Kotukov (7.05), who took silver and bronze, respectively.
The Cuban jumper concluded a competitive cycle that included victories at the World Championships in Paris 2023 and Kobe 2024, as well as at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in the past season.
In the case of athlete Omara Duran Elías, accompanied by guide Yuniol Kindelán Vargas, she added her ninth medal in the Paralympic Games to her collection, following those won in London 2012 (two), Rio de Janeiro 2016 (three), and Tokyo 2021 (three).
Durand Elías, 32 years old, retained the gold medal in the 400 meters T12 class for visually impaired athletes, which he has held consecutively since London 2012.
The sprinter set a personal best of 53.59, finishing ahead of the Iranian Hajar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani (55.39) and the Ukrainian Oksana Boturchuk (55.67), who won silver and bronze respectively.
"I am very happy to have achieved this gold. I am enjoying it a lot. I made my best time of the season, but I came here to win a medal. I was not concerned about any specific time. I am a fulfilled athlete and I feel very happy about everything I have accomplished in my sports career," said Durand at the end of the race.
"I hang my medals in different places. Some are at my mother's house, others in my house, and I keep some in a certain place because there are many. This one will be in my living room," he confessed.
Omara Durand will aim for the triple gold in the 100 and 200 meters at these Paralympic Games, something she has already achieved at both the Rio and Tokyo Games.
Cuba is currently in 28th place in the Paralympic medal table after two gold medals won today and the silver medal won by Yamel Luis Vives in the 100 meters T44.
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