Mijain López, twice Olympic champion and five times world champion, a symbol of pride for Cuba and his hometown of La Herradura in Pinar de Rio, once again felt the emotion of reciving a gold medal, when, this Tuesday morning October 28, he became the flag bearer for Cuba’s delegation to the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in Veracruz, Mexico, November 14-30.

True to the words of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, "Honor is worth more than life itself," the Cuban wrestler was handed the national flag to wave at the base of the monument to Jose Marti in Revolution Square, Havana, by Miguel Diaz-Canel, member of the Political Bureau and first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, before members of the Cuban delegation to the regional comeptition. López was accompanied by Olympianp and World judo champion, Idalys Ortiz, and world silver medalist in the pole vault, Yarisley Silva.

Beforehand, Glenhys Hernández, World and Pan-American taekwondo champion, read the delegation’s statement of commitment, in which the Cuban athletes swore to compete with dignity and in accordance with the principles of the country, respecting their opponent as part of fair play. Rosniel Iglesias and Yulieski Gourriel laid a wreath at the Marti Memorial on behalf of the athletes.

Precisely on the day that the Hero of Yaguajay, Commander Camilo Cienfuegos, is remembered, the Cuban champions brought his memory to life. Camilo was a lover of sports and he is present in each of the athletes who will defend their country, at each jump, run and effort to reach their goals.

Cuba held the send off for its athletes on the very same day that the world will once again tell the United States to put an end to its genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade of the small country. For the 23rd time, the international community demanded an end to this injustice and once again sport, that ambassador par excellence of the best traditions and principles of the Cuban people, will climb this and other mountains in order to reach the very top of this peaceful competition between the youth of our region.

Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party, José R. Fernández Alvarez, advisor to the President of the Councils of State and Ministers and president of the Cuban Olympic Committee, Teresa Amarelle Boué, General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, Antonio Becali Garrido, president of INDER and the Decorated Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Fernando González Llort, one of the five antiterrorists unjustly imprisioned in the United States, shared this proud moment with the Cuban sport stars.