Following recent announcements about broadcasting the Euro Cup and Copa América soccer tournaments during a period plagued by daily blackouts nationwide, Cuban Television has officially declared that it will also air the events of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sports commentator and government spokesperson Pavel Otero broke the news on his Facebook page. "Cuban Television announces that the Paris 2024 Olympics will feature 24-hour daily broadcasts on the Olympic Channel Tele Rebelde from July 26 to August 11," Otero wrote. He'll be one of the national press's special correspondents for the event.
Otero also mentioned that "if two important events for Cuba coincide, the Educational Channel will be exceptionally enabled." Interestingly, Otero had recently criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for including two Cuban athletes in the Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) for Paris 2024.
Controversial Criticism of IOC's Decision
In a segment of the Television News dedicated to sports, Otero condemned the decision of the IOC and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which selected Fernando Dayán Jorge Enríquez, a champion in the 1000-meter canoe race at Tokyo 2020, and Ramiro Mora Romero, a weightlifter.
After providing a brief historical overview of the EOR, which began in Rio de Janeiro 2016, Otero posed a series of questions: "Did these two Cuban athletes flee a war that drove them away from Cuba? Are they persecuted for their skin color or religion? Or were they expelled from Cuba for their political beliefs?"
"We all know that's not the case," he answered, continuing, "Therefore, the IOC and the UNHCR have altered, if not manipulated, the original requirements and intentions behind this noble idea to help refugee or persecuted athletes worldwide." Despite the double standards of Cuban media and some of its figures, the broadcasts of the soccer events and the Olympics in France are excellent news for sports fans, although many will likely miss out on the action due to ongoing electricity shortages.
Impact of Persistent Power Outages
Currently, several areas endure power cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day, making normal life impossible. These blackouts are primarily due to a lack of investment and maintenance in the country's electrical infrastructure, as well as reliance on imported fuels for energy generation.
Moreover, President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted in his new YouTube segment that there's no guarantee of uninterrupted electricity service during the summer months. Díaz-Canel echoed what the Electric Union announced weeks earlier—that blackouts would increase due to extended maintenance work on thermoelectric plants, aiming to ensure service in July and August.
"We will have prolonged maintenance until June to minimize the inconvenience of blackouts in the summer, especially in July and August," the country's leader stated.
FAQs about Cuban Television and the Paris 2024 Olympics
Given the ongoing electrical issues in Cuba, many readers might have questions about the upcoming broadcasts of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Will Cuban Television broadcast all events of the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Yes, Cuban Television has announced 24-hour daily broadcasts on the Olympic Channel Tele Rebelde from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
How will power outages affect the broadcast of the Olympics in Cuba?
Due to ongoing electricity shortages, many viewers may miss parts of the broadcast. The government has not provided any guarantees of uninterrupted service during the summer months.