World Athletics sends Cuba distinction awarded to Juantorena

May 8, 2024

The decision to award Juantorena the prestigious recognition was made by WA at the close of its most recent congress, prior to the celebration of the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championship

María Caridad Colón, vice president of the Cuban Athletics Federation, received the Gold Merit Order that a year ago World Athletics (WA) decided to grant to Olympic champion Alberto Juantorena for his merits on the track and his leadership in the development of athletics on the planet, reports JIT.

The golden collar that accredits the Elegant One of the Track as deserving of the highest distinction of the organization was presented to the first Olympic champion of Latin America by its leader, British Sebastian Coe, during the 2024 Bahamas World Athletics Relays Championship, which just concluded in this city.

Also present at the emotional moment were American multi-Olympic and world champion Carl Lewis, and Puerto Rican Víctor López, who for many years headed the Caribbean Athletics Confederation (Nacac).

"It is an honor for me to be the bearer of this important recognition and also for Cuban athletics the fact that World Athletics recognizes in this way the dedication and work of Alberto. For many years he was the leader of our sport," María Caridad told them.

The decision to award Juantorena the prestigious recognition was made by WA at the close of its most recent congress, prior to the celebration of the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championship.

On that occasion, the members of the organization also approved the designation of the president of the FCA—absent then due to health problems—as Honorary Member of WA's World Council.

In making the official presentation of the award, Coe asked to convey the feeling of gratitude to the protagonist of the so far unequaled feat of winning the 400 and 800 meter races at the Montreal 1976 Olympic event. In addition, he sent on behalf of the athletic universe family, wishes for a speedy recovery.

Juantorena held one of the vice presidencies of Inder for 28 years. At the international level, he was part of WA's World Council from 1987 until last year, and served with recognized success as vice president of the entity between 2015 and 2019.

He was also part of different commissions within the Iaaf—WA's predecessor—and worked tirelessly for the development of new generations.

He currently holds the position of vice president of the Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) and directs the Cuban Paralympic Committee