Global Black Voices: News from around the World
- José Antonio Miranda Carrera says Cuba remains committed to staying among the top three in medal standings despite economic challenges.
- Cuba is targeting about 70 gold medals and aims to secure Lima 2027 Pan American Games qualification in 19 sports.
- Athletes in volleyball, judo, shooting, weightlifting, and triathlon are training in the Dominican Republic; water polo teams arrive July 19.
- At the 2023 Games Cuba finished third behind Mexico and Colombia; historically Cuba leads all-time medal standings.
Cuba has officially registered 504 athletes across 42 sports for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, with competitors set to participate in 356 of the 497 medal events on the program.
José Antonio Miranda Carrera, director general of high performance at Cuba’s National Institute of Sports (Inder), said the delegation reflects the country’s commitment to remaining among the top three nations in the medal standings despite economic challenges.
Although Cuba did not fill all 506 available athlete quotas due to late adjustments in canoeing and diving, the delegation surpasses the 494 athletes it sent to the San Salvador 2023 Games. Miranda said Cuba is targeting around 70 gold medals and hopes to secure qualification spots for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, which will be awarded in 19 sports.
Athletes in disciplines including women’s volleyball, judo, shooting, weightlifting, and triathlon are already training in the Dominican Republic, while the men’s and women’s water polo teams are scheduled to arrive on July 19.
At the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, Cuba finished third in the medal table behind Mexico and Colombia. Historically, however, Cuba remains the most successful nation in the event’s history, leading the all-time medal standings.
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