Related videos:
The historic hammer thrower Yipsi Moreno, 44 years old, will return to the international stage at the upcoming World Athletics Championship, but not with the flag of Cuba; instead, she will compete under the colors of Albania.
The announcement was made by Global Athletics Hub on X, reminding that the athlete was the Olympic champion in Beijing 2008 and a three-time world champion (2001, 2003, and 2005) when competing for the Island.
The athlete from Camagüey will participate in the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships under the Albanian flag, thanks to a universality spot granted by World Athletics (WA), the governing body of athletics worldwide.
According to the specialized portal DeporCuba, this mechanism allows countries with low representation in world competitions to offer additional spots to athletes with a relevant history, even if they have not achieved the minimum qualifying standard.
From Cuban idol to figure in Europe
The Cuban's return to active sports occurred in June of last year, when she won gold medals in the hammer throw and discus at the Albania Cup.
Despite being away from competitions for 10 years, he displayed magnificent physical shape at that local event.
Just two months earlier, Yipsi reappeared in Europe with her family.
In April 2024, it was reported that the athlete lives in Albania with her husband and son, after sharing images taken in the municipality of Belsh on Facebook.
His move to Europe marked a radical shift in his trajectory, not only due to the sports aspect but also for its symbolic significance: Moreno was for years a figure closely associated with the Cuban establishment, advocating for the regime and holding positions of political responsibility.
Less than two years ago, when she still lived in Cuba, she said that many athletes who emigrate later regret it because "there comes a time when the money they earn in foreign clubs is not enough".
From sporting power to political downfall
After retiring from active sports, in 2018 Yipsi was appointed president of the National Athletics Commission of Cuba.
His management, however, was marked by poor international results and controversy: in 2022, a video emerged in which he was heard verbally abusing students from ESPA, which sparked intense criticism.
That same year, she was removed from her position "by personal desire", although she admitted to learning about her replacement "through the television."
The decline of their influence was not limited to sports.
In 2023, Moreno was excluded from the State Council and lost her seat in the National Assembly of People’s Power, which also marked the end of her brief foray into the island's institutional politics.
A new beginning in Albania
Far from Cuba and her former political life, Yipsi Moreno seems to have found in Albania a new space to rejuvenate her sports career.
The announcement that he will compete in the World Cup with that flag is not only surprising because of his age, nearly 45 years, but also reignites the conversation about the fate of many Cuban athletes who, after years of serving official sports, end up emigrating in search of new opportunities in foreign arenas.
The Olympic champion thus joins the list of Cuban stars who change countries and continue to compete, although in her case there is the added factor of having been a symbolic figure within the Cuban sports and political system.
His participation in the World Cup with Albania will be closely watched by both the international athletic community and the Cuban fans, who now see one of their most recognized sports figures representing another nation in the final stretch of his career.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yipsi Moreno's Return to International Athletics
Why will Yipsi Moreno compete under the flag of Albania at the World Athletics Championships?
Yipsi Moreno will compete for Albania due to her relocation to that country with her family, marking a new beginning in her athletic career away from Cuba. This change also reflects the trend of many Cuban athletes seeking new opportunities in other countries after years of service to official sports in Cuba.
What are the most notable achievements of Yipsi Moreno in her sports career?
Yipsi Moreno is recognized for being the Olympic champion in Beijing 2008 and a three-time world champion in 2001, 2003, and 2005 in hammer throw. Throughout her career, she represented Cuba in multiple international events, establishing herself as one of the most prominent figures in Cuban athletics.
How did Yipsi Moreno's relationship with the Cuban regime affect her political and sports career?
Throughout her career, Yipsi Moreno was closely linked to the Cuban establishment, holding significant political positions such as president of the National Athletics Commission of Cuba. However, her management was controversial, and in 2023 she was excluded from the Council of State and lost her seat in the National Assembly, marking the end of her political involvement on the island.
Filed under: