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The Olympic boxing champion Erislandy Álvarez publicly denounced the delivery of vehicles in poor condition by the National Institute of Sports Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), after claiming that he received a defective vehicle as a reward for his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“What they gave me was crap”, the boxer bluntly criticized, clearly upset with the quality of the car assigned to him.
Álvarez, one of the leading figures in contemporary Cuban boxing, didn't hold back and took to Facebook to express his frustration and explain the reasons behind it.
In a post where he was tagged alongside other athletes by journalist Ernesto Amaya Esquivel, Álvarez candidly shared his opinion.
"Why are they tagging me in that delivery when what they gave me was crap, with only the engine being of any use? I've already spent almost 5 thousand dollars and there's still more to go. These are things they don't publish.", he complained.
Álvarez explained that the Hyundai Grand i10 he was given is in terrible condition, and that he has had to invest thousands of dollars in just two weeks to be able to use it safely.
"When you publish, publish something good that has respect, this lacks respect. Even though my tire blew out, thank God nothing happened to me,” he concluded.
Although he later deleted the post, it was captured and replicated by specialized media such as Swing Completo, which praised the athlete's courage in publicly exposing the precarious conditions faced even by those who bring Olympic glory to the country.
Erislandy Álvarez, a key figure in Paris 2024
Erislandy Álvarez has become one of the great heroes of Cuban sports by winning the only gold medal for the island in boxing during the Paris Olympics.
The boxer shone in the 63.5-kilogram category, establishing himself with authority over top-level opponents.
His performance was impeccable from the qualifying rounds, where he dominated with technique and discipline, to the final, in which he won by unanimous decision against his opponent from Kazakhstan, thereby claiming the Olympic gold.
Her victory not only reaffirmed the tradition of Cuban boxing on the international stage but was also celebrated as an achievement that somewhat eased the overall modest performance of the Cuban delegation at Paris 2024.
Other faulty cars as a stimulus
Álvarez's situation with the failed gift is not the only one.
During the event held on March 3 at the Coliseum of the Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, INDER distributed used and poorly maintained cars to several outstanding athletes and coaches.
These are vehicles removed from tourist rental that were handed over, despite their obvious deficiencies, as a reward for the "commitment and loyalty" of those honored.
Social media has echoed other complaints.
Images shared on the Facebook page Por la Goma show that the white car delivered to Briandy Molina Elías has missing parts and damaged paint.
In Banes, the para-athlete Ulicer Aguilera Cruz received a vehicle with a misaligned hood, as evidenced by the photos published by INDER itself.
Other athletes and coaches also received faulty cars, including coach Raúl de Jesús Trujillo Díaz, a key figure in the successes of wrestler Mijaín López; as well as notable figures like Enrique Figuerola Camué (athletics), Omara Durand Elías (para-athletics), and Luis Miguel Rodríguez Ricardo (baseball).
The list of award winners included, in addition to Erislandy Álvarez Borges (boxing), Luis Alberto Orta Sánchez (Greco-Roman wrestling), Yusneylis Guzmán López (freestyle wrestling), Milaimy de la Caridad Marín Potrillé (freestyle wrestling), Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes (para-athletics), Yunier Fernández Izquierdo (para table tennis), Guillermo Varona González (para-athletics), Yamel Luis Vives Suárez (para-athletics), Pablo Ramírez Barrientos (para powerlifting), and Sheyla Hernández Estupiñán (para judo).
This is not the first time Álvarez has challenged the official apparatus. On February 1, he publicly showed his support for Cuban boxer David Morrell Jr., who faced American David Benavidez in Las Vegas, defying the usual secrecy of figures in national sports.
Álvarez's courage reflects the pent-up frustration from years of institutional neglect and precariousness. The denunciation highlights the harsh reality faced by many athletes on the island, even when they reach the pinnacle of Olympic sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about Erislandy Álvarez's Complaint Against INDER
Why did Erislandy Álvarez criticize INDER for the car he received?
Erislandy Álvarez criticized the INDER for receiving a car in poor condition as a reward for his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The boxer expressed his frustration about having to invest nearly 5,000 dollars in repairs to make the vehicle operate properly.
What problems did the car delivered to Erislandy Álvarez have?
The Hyundai Grand i10 delivered to Erislandy Álvarez was in terrible condition, with multiple issues that required significant repairs. Álvarez pointed out that only the engine was functioning properly and reported that he had to invest a large amount of money to be able to use it safely.
Have other Cuban athletes received defective cars as incentives?
Yes, several Cuban athletes and coaches have received used and poorly maintained cars as recognition from INDER. These vehicles, withdrawn from tourist rentals, exhibit significant deficiencies and have been a source of complaints from the recipients.
How has the sports community reacted to Erislandy Álvarez's complaint?
Erislandy Álvarez's complaint has been echoed by specialized media that praise his bravery in exposing the hardships faced by athletes in Cuba. The situation reflects the accumulated frustration from years of institutional neglect and hardship, which has generated a strong response on social media.
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