Marcia Garbey Dies, the First Cuban Female Jumper to Reach the Olympic Games Finals

January 2, 2024

Marcia Alejandra Garbey, the first Cuban female jumper to reach the Olympic Games finals, died this week at the age of 74.

The Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) and former athletes reported her death, although no details were provided about the circumstances.

Marcia, originally from Santiago de Cuba, comes from a family of athletes. Recently, she faced the loss of her brother Rolando Garbey, a renowned Cuban boxer, which plunged the family into double grief. Rolando, world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, died two weeks ago due to health complications.

At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, Garbey came close to glory with a jump of 6 meters 52 centimeters, finishing in fourth place by a minimal difference, in a competition won by Heidemarie Rosendahl. This milestone made her the first Olympic finalist in Cuban track and field field events.

The Olympic trajectory of Marcia and her brother Rolando included participations in the 1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich. While Rolando obtained a silver medal in Mexico, Marcia finished in 18th place. Later, in Montreal 1976, Rolando won a bronze medal.

After her retirement, she graduated in Physical Culture and contributed to the development of track and field in Cuba. Marcia advocated for caring for the training process of young athletes, focusing on preventing excessive training loads from affecting their development.