39 Cuban athletes qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics
Cuba has secured spots for 39 athletes across eleven sports to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The country aims to rank among the top 20 nations in the medal standings and secure five gold medals, as reported by the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) on Friday.
Runner Rose Mary Almanza, table tennis player Moises Campos, and boxer Erislandy Alvarez have recently been added to the list of classified athletes, as confirmed by Jose Antonio Miranda, the high-performance director of INDER, speaking to state media.
However, approximately 50 athletes are still undergoing the classification process, with 39 showing strong potential across various disciplines including athletics, boxing, diving, judo, men’s volleyball, and men’s beach volleyball doubles, according to Miranda.
He also noted that two divers are being considered for Olympic qualification, while the quotas for judo are yet to be finalised, with prospects for three men and two or three women.
Miranda reiterated Cuba’s objective of sending between 70 and 80 athletes to the Paris Olympics, with men’s volleyball included as a team sport. Regarding the Paralympic Games, a delegation of 28 to 32 athletes is being prepared with the goal of securing at least five gold medals to rank within the top 25 globally.
Sports authorities have announced that Cuba’s pre-selection for the Paris Olympics will comprise 117 athletes across 17 sports, while 38 athletes will represent the country in the Paralympics.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Cuba claimed a total of 15 medals, including seven gold, three silver, and five bronze, marking its best Olympic performance in 20 years, surpassing achievements from Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio de Janeiro 2016.