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After being unjustly dismissed as head coaches of the Cuban artistic gymnastics team, Carlos Rafael Gil and Yareimi Vázquez have propelled their beautiful sport to new heights in Panama.
With their sights set on an even more promising future, the couple celebrates 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 Gimnasia Latina magazine.
Yes, indeed. It has been a very long year, filled with a lot of work, but with consistent results; exhausting, yet I am happy for everything achieved 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! I'm happy for myself, happy for my gymnasts, happy to have helped Hillary Heron achieve her dream.
Hillary finished in 14th place in the show jumping event and performed the "Biles" element on the floor, a skill that has only been executed by Simone Biles herself and my student.
Before Paris, the World Cup events served as an ideal platform 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. And let me tell you something: this was not only beneficial for the three who participated in the circuit, but also for the younger ones, as it has been demonstrated that we can compete at the highest level and hold our own against the top athletes in the world.
Karla Navas finished in first place as an 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 showcase new elements in the tapestries of the world
Indeed, the introduction of new elements is something that excites me greatly, as I enjoy the novelty, the challenge, and the act of creating. For any professional, coming up with something new will always be significant in their career, and enabling your gymnasts to immortalize their names in the sport through an 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 possibility of creating a few more. Hillary already has her name in the code, as she managed to implement a new element in the coding system, which bears her surname, “The Heron.”
Tell me about your key figures, who are now well-known in the gymnastics world following 2024, which is very important when it comes to evaluations.
Hillary Heron, Karla Navas, and Lana Herrera continue to lead the group. All three have achieved significant results in the World Cups, Pan American Games, South American Championships, and Central American competitions.
But it’s not just the senior team; both you and Yareimi have worked with the reserve teams, 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 standout figure. They managed to win the team gold at the Bolivarian Games, where Alyiah dominated the all-around competition, 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 are working with two very talented girls, Ana Gabriela Gutiérrez and Susan Madera, who have tremendous potential that allows us to dream big.
The upcoming Olympic cycle, which we have been working on for a few months, could be fantastic for Panamanian gymnastics. Great surprises may come; Yare and I have high expectations.
Are you happy with the family gathered in your new little house in Panama?
Yes. Having my parents here gives me peace of mind; it's one less worry, as it's hard not to be concerned about them while they're in Cuba. And my little girl growing up 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 development for girls and teenagers. The support from the Panamanian Federation and the Olympic Committee is ongoing and deeply appreciated, as it is very gratifying to know they endorse all the efforts being made.
What does 2025 hold for them in terms of competitive landscape?
I'm putting it together: the Pan American Championship in Panama in June and the World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October, which are the most important. Additionally, the second Youth Pan American Games in August in Paraguay.
Are you feeling sad about not having been able to do that great work in Cuba? Even so, during the time you were there, both you and Yareimi made significant contributions…
No sadness at all. That chapter is closed. There's no room for sadness or negative thoughts. I wish the entire Cuban people and their gymnasts a bright future, one in which they can grow and progress. I hold no resentment in my heart! I feel happy, even though I still have a lot of work ahead of me.
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