Cuba commemorates today the 32nd anniversary of Javier Sotomayor's historic 2.45-meter (8 feet 0.5 inches) high jump, a world record set on July 27, 1993, in Salamanca, Spain, that remains unbroken and cements his status as the only man to ever clear eight feet.

On his Facebook account, the legendary athlete expressed gratitude for the enduring admiration from his compatriots after more than three decades, sharing his appreciation from his hometown of Matanzas.

Cuba's National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) reaffirmed the national pride inspired by this achievement, while Norland Rosendo, director of the Cuban News Agency, hailed it as an eternal milestone in Cuban sports history.

Sotomayor first made history in 1988 by becoming the first athlete to clear 2.43 meters outdoors (also in Salamanca). He later raised the bar to 2.44 meters in 1989 before setting the current world record of 2.45 meters. Throughout his career, he recorded more jumps above 2.40 meters than any other high jumper in history.

Experts believe his record may stand for years to come due to its exceptional nature. While athletes like Mutaz Essa Barshim and Bohdan Bondarenko reached 2.43 meters in 2014, none have surpassed the Cuban's mark.

Beyond his technical legacy, Sotomayor won Olympic gold at Barcelona 1992, claimed two outdoor world championships, four indoor world titles, and three Pan American Games gold medals. In 1993, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in recognition of his athletic conduct and human values.

Today, he remains a global icon in high jump. Most recently, he was honored as the "Ibero-American Sports Legend 2025" during the inaugural GLORIA Awards in Madrid, a distinction highlighting his historic impact on regional sports.

Ultimately, the 2.45-meter record stands not just as a measurement, but as a lasting symbol of Cuban excellence in world athletics and an inspiration for future generations.