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Miguelito Calderón, one of the leading figures in Cuban basketball, is currently surviving in precarious conditions at the Comandante Manuel Fajardo Hospital in Havana.
His story reflects the neglect that many Cuban athletes experience after bringing glory to the country.
The journalist Aníbal Oliva Yañez reported the situation on his Facebook profile, emphasizing that the legendary player and coach, who was a key figure in Cuba's historic bronze medal win at the 1972 Munich Olympics, is in critical condition and not receiving the assistance he deserves.
Another journalist, Fernando Clavero, shared a recent photograph in which he is scarcely recognizable, which has generated concern and sadness among his followers.
Calderón, who has lost his sight and suffers from serious health issues today, was much more than an accomplished athlete.
His legacy as a mentor to generations of Cuban players, including Andrés Guibert, Richard Matienzo, and the Herrera brothers, made him an essential figure in the development of basketball on the island.
However, the respect and admiration he garnered throughout his career have not been enough to ensure him a dignified old age.
While leaders and high-ranking officials of the Cuban regime enjoy top-notch medical care both domestically and abroad, Calderón lies bedridden on a dilapidated bed, depending on the solidarity of those who still remember his story, Oliva emphasized.
His case is just an example of a much broader issue: the abandonment of Cuban champions when they can no longer win medals and trophies.
The fate of Calderón is shared by many other idols of Cuban sports, who end their days in misery, without state support and in the deepest oblivion.
This reality has led many young talents to seek opportunities outside the island, hoping to avoid the same tragic outcome.
Today, while he struggles against darkness and indifference, those who should honor his legacy prefer to turn a blind eye.
The story of Miguelito Calderón has raised significant concern among sports enthusiasts and their heroes, including the news site Swing Completo, which echoed the complaint and emphasized that this is not an isolated case, but part of a systematic pattern of neglect towards the athletes who gave their all for Cuba.
According to the website, Calderón's situation highlights the lack of a protection system for former athletes on the island, who, after years of representing their country in international events, end up forgotten without medical assistance or financial support.
The medium highlights that the medals and trophies won by figures like Calderón have contributed to enhancing the prestige of Cuban sports globally, but when those same athletes grow old or fall ill, state indifference relegates them to an undignified fate.
Additionally, the portal reminded that similar cases have occurred with other Cuban Olympic and world medalists, who have ended up in poverty or facing serious economic difficulties.
The lack of recognition and support from the government has created a sense of frustration and hopelessness among young athletes, who are increasingly seeking opportunities outside the country to secure a better future.
The story of Miguelito Calderón is not only a warning about the ingratitude of a system that neglects its sporting heroes, but also a wake-up call about the need for a profound change in the treatment of athletes who have given everything for their country.
Yasel Porto Gómez also reacted to this story on his networks: "When I saw the text from my colleague Aníbal Oliva, I couldn't believe it. This photo shared by Fernando Clavero is of none other than Miguelito Calderon, one of the iconic coaches of Cuban basketball."
"Sick and blind, with a completely different appearance from what we always knew, the popular former player and coach is currently hospitalized," he emphasized.
"Unfortunately, this has long ceased to be the exception to the rule. That reality is now impossible to ignore, and worse still, to defend. There is no justification," he said with evident frustration.
In 2024, a similar story came to light: Margarita Skeet, one of the great figures of Cuban women's basketball, was in total neglect and survived thanks to the assistance of her neighbors in the Cotorro municipality, Havana.
The depressing situation of the former athlete was reported through the social network Facebook by a user named Ramón Rodríguez CordCordero in the group "Holguín: The city we want."
In February 2023, Félix Isasi, a legend of Cuban baseball, denounced the neglect by the authorities in Matanzas, after receiving no support or visits following a transient ischemic attack and spending several days in the hospital. He also mentioned that he struggles “even to obtain the parts for his car.”
In September 2022, the former youth world champion in javelin, Marisleysis Duharte Morell, criticized the government and the authorities amid her battle against a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Abandonment of Athletes in Cuba
What is the current situation of Miguelito Calderón, a legend of Cuban basketball?
Miguelito Calderón is in precarious conditions and in critical state at the Comandante Manuel Fajardo Hospital in Havana, without adequate medical assistance and relying on the solidarity of those who remember his legacy.
Is it common for athletes in Cuba to be abandoned after their retirement?
Yes, it is a common situation in Cuba that athletes are abandoned after their retirement, facing hardship and a lack of state support despite having contributed to the country's prestige on the international stage.
What impact does this situation have on young Cuban athletes?
The lack of recognition and support for retired athletes has generated a sense of frustration among young people, driving them to seek opportunities outside the island to avoid a fate similar to that of figures like Calderón.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to support former athletes?
No effective measures have been implemented by the Cuban government to ensure the well-being of former athletes. The absence of a protective system has led to the neglect of many of them, as evidenced by numerous cases.
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