Leandro Civil, Cuban Athletics Legend, Passes Away

April 14, 2025

With deep regret, the Cuban sports movement mourns the death of Leandro Félix Civil Jarvis, a sports legend and emblematic figure of athletics, especially in the 800-meter dash.

Born on March 31, 1948 in Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, Civil distinguished himself as a Central American and Caribbean champion in Santo Domingo 1974, where he set a record with 1:48.43 minutes, an unprecedented achievement for a Cuban since 1930. He was a reference in his specialty until the emergence of Alberto Juantorena.

After his retirement, he contributed to the training of generations of athletes as a coach for the national team starting in 1982.

Through social media X, the president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), Osvaldo Vento, expressed:

«We accompany his family and friends in their grief, grateful for his contributions to a cause that he embraced with passion, professionalism and patriotism.

May his legacy inspire those who continue his work».

The Inder also mourned his passing:

«With deep sorrow we learned that Leandro Félix Civil Jarvis, a glory of Cuban sports, has passed away. To his distinction as a Pan American and Central American medalist runner, he added a beautiful legacy as a coach, with students such as Ana Fidelia Quirós and Roberto Hernández».

Leandro Civil leaves an imprint on Cuban sports, both on the track and through his commitment to training.