The Homeland Embraces Its Athletes

In the early hours of this Monday, the final portion of the Cuban delegation that took part in the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026 arrived back in the homeland.

Just hours before the celebration of the Centennial of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, the young members of the Cuban delegation to these Games thanked their people for their trust and support, speaking through three-time Games champion, canoeist Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboy.

"We return with our hearts full of pride, because every step we took, every effort we made, was inspired by a people that resists and prevails despite every hardship," she said.

She added that "those of us who returned with medals and those who didn't reach the podium all felt the encouragement of every Cuban man and woman. We were never alone—they ran, jumped, lifted, and paddled alongside us."

She emphasized that "no fatigue could stop us, no obstacle could defeat us, and no rival could intimidate us, because behind us stood Cuba and its rich history. Because behind us stood the dignity of a nation."

"We heard your voice in every cheer; we carried your hope in every race, your strength in every match, and your faith in every jump. The flag flew thanks to your trust, and the anthem was heard thanks to your support," said the athlete, also a bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in her heartfelt remarks.

"It is in Cuba where our hearts beat; here our families await us, our people welcome us, our homeland embraces us. We will keep training with discipline, competing with courage, and we promise to keep defending the flag of the lone star," she affirmed.

"Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for always encouraging us. Thank you for being the reason we fight," Cirilo concluded.

Welcoming the athletes, Rolando Yero, a member of the Party's Central Committee and head of its Department of Social Outreach, told them that "you placed the homeland's name in the most dignified position at the regional Games."

Addressing the athletes, Yero said this delegation proved itself heir to the one that, 60 years ago, set an example of firmness, dignity, and courage in San Juan 1966, arriving aboard the ship Cerro Pelado.

He recalled how Fidel, upon receiving that delegation at the time, told them he had much to thank them for, including the emotion with which the Cuban people experienced that historic feat and the dignity with which they defended the homeland.

Yero explained that the contexts are different, but the enemy is the same, which is why their achievements are as inspiring now as those of the Cerro Pelado delegation were then.

He affirmed that sports remain a bastion of the Cuban Revolution.

Also attending the welcome ceremony were Teresa Amarelle Boué, member of the Political Bureau and General Secretary of the FMC; Inés María Chapman Waugh, Deputy Prime Minister; Meivis Estévez, General Secretary of the UJC; and Osvaldo Vento Montiller, President of INDER, who led the Cuban mission to the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, along with other Party, government, and mass organization leaders.