Javier Sotomayor inaugurates "2.45", a Havana restaurant in honor of his world record

November 2, 2021

The Cuban Javier Sotomayor, the greatest high jumper in history, inaugurated last Thursday night a private business in his former residence in the exclusive Havana neighborhood of Miramar, the Bar-Restaurant 2.45, as a tribute to his 1993 world record, still standing.

Surrounded by personalities from Cuban culture and sports, the "Prince of the Heights" (54 years old) launched what he conceived as a socio-cultural project.

"For me it's a new step, maybe I know about jumping or a bit about athletics, but not so much in the business world, I'm taking my first steps," he noted.

It is a restaurant that will include musical performances and at the same time customers will be able to dialogue there with famous athletes.

In September, the Cuban government approved the creation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expanding the scope for private work, which has been legalized for self-employed workers since the 1990s.

To date 227 SMEs have been approved, according to official figures.

According to the former jumper, in Cuba there are "many" and "very good entrepreneurs," and "it's not that we are taking, for now, giant steps (in Cuba), more than anything because of the current situation (of economic crisis) that we are facing, (but) little by little we are going to have many opportunities."

Eight years ago, the world record holder and Olympic champion opened a similar business, together with his first wife, former high jumper María del Carmen García, but it did not prosper and lasted a short time.

Other celebrities from the island's sports world that installed private businesses in recent years are former hurdler Dayron Robles and former volleyball players Mireya Luis and Raúl Diago.

The restaurant also has a fast food service space that was named Salamanca, the Spanish city where Sotomayor achieved two world records in 1993 and 1988.

"El Soto" was accompanied at the opening by actor Jorge Perugorría, pianist Frank Fernández, popular musicians Samuel Formell, Elio Revé and César López, Olympic champion Anier García (athlete in 110 meters with hurdles) and two-time world champion Ana Fidelia Quirót (800 meters).

The venue opened to the public on Friday to receive domestic customers, following the closure of these establishments due to covid-19 since last January, but Sotomayor says he expects international tourism starting November 15, when the island opens its borders.

In addition to being one of the most decorated athletes in the world, Sotomayor has had an inclination toward the business world, first as a representative of musical groups, and later with a gym.