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The Cuban triple jumper Jordan Díaz, the newly crowned Olympic champion in Paris 2024, shared details about his life in Spain, his roots on the island, and his family dreams.
At just 23 years old, the Cuban-Spanish athlete has achieved historic milestones in his career, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots or his family. “I want to bring my family over, so I bought a house for them to come to. They are still in Cuba, but we are in the process,” he revealed in an interview with El País.
Díaz, who currently resides in Guadalajara, appreciates the tranquility of his adopted city as he adjusts to his new life. So far, he has been sharing an apartment with another athlete, Héctor Santos, but he is now ready to move into a new home that can accommodate his loved ones.
Jordan's journey to this point has not been easy. In 2021, he left the Cuban national team's training camp in Castellón to settle in Spain, which meant giving up the Tokyo Olympic Games and facing a series of personal and administrative obstacles.
"Everything I have done in these last three years, every second, has been worth it," he states excitedly. Since then, he has worked under the guidance of Iván Pedroso, the legendary Cuban long jumper, who has been crucial in his technical and mental development.
In the dialogue, he also reflected on his close relationship with Pedroso, and his upcoming challenges, such as the World Athletics Championships in Japan in 2025. “Everything I have done in the last three years has been worth it. My parents are extremely happy, and I am happy for them,” he expressed with emotion.
In 2024, the athlete born in Havana established himself as one of the great figures in global athletics, not only winning the Olympic gold with a jump of 17.86 meters but also standing out with a European record of 18.18 meters, the third best in history.
Díaz also reflects on the impact that his achievements have on his surroundings and the victory in the French city in a competition that left two other compatriots on the remaining spots of the awards podium: the naturalized Portuguese Pedro Pablo Pichardo (silver) and Andy Díaz representing Italy (bronze).
"My parents were overjoyed; they were the first people I called after winning. They are really happy, and I'm glad that they are happy, even if it sounds like a tongue twister," she jokes.
His story reflects the difficulties and sacrifices of athletes who emigrate in search of a better future. Jordan does not forget the challenges he faced in Cuba, including injuries and training methods that left physical scars. Now, with a renewed focus and the support of his team in Spain, he is determined to continue surpassing himself.
The athlete's next goal is to complete the triple crown by winning the world athletics championship in 2025 in Japan. Although his achievements this year are impressive, Díaz insists that he still has much to improve, particularly in his pushing and falling events. “I’m 23 years old; I still have a lot to perfect. I know I can keep growing,” he concludes with determination.
However, beyond his athletic achievements, his main goal right now is to reunite with his family.
Frequently asked questions about Jordan Díaz and his current situation
Who is Jordan Díaz and what is his most recent achievement?
Jordan Díaz is a Cuban tripler who has become a Spanish citizen and was crowned Olympic champion at the Paris 2024 Games. In addition to winning gold, he set a European record with a jump of 18.18 meters, which is the third-best in history.
Why does Jordan Díaz want to take his family out of Cuba?
Jordan Díaz wants to take his family out of Cuba to reunite with them, as he has not been able to see them in person for three years. To this end, he has purchased a house in Spain and is in the process of facilitating their move to their new home.
What has been Jordan Díaz's journey since leaving Cuba?
Since leaving Cuba in 2021, Jordan Díaz has faced several personal and administrative challenges. He forfeited the opportunity to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games, settled in Spain, and worked intensively under the guidance of the legendary coach Iván Pedroso, which has allowed him to achieve significant milestones, including winning the Olympic gold in Paris 2024.
What other Cubans participated in the triple jump podium at Paris 2024?
On the podium for the triple jump at Paris 2024, alongside Jordan Díaz, were Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who is a naturalized Portuguese citizen and won silver, and Andy Díaz, representing Italy, who took home the bronze. All of them are of Cuban origin but competed for different countries.
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