Many wonder where athletes who once shone brightly in the athletic world have gone. Today, we highlight one such athlete, the high jumper Marino Drake, who had the fortune—or misfortune—of coexisting with the world's best, Javier Sotomayor. With a personal best of 2.34 meters, Drake participated in events like the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 1991 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, achieving his best results in these top-tier competitions.
Drake was born in the same municipality as Sotomayor, Limonar, Matanzas, and was initially trained by the same coach who discovered Sotomayor, Carmelo Benítez. Later, he was trained by Anacleto Espinosa at the provincial level and by José Godoy, Juvenal Pérez, and Guillermo de la Torre at the high-performance level, all of whom were key to Sotomayor's success.
Life in the United States
Marino Drake now lives in North Carolina, USA, and works at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a historically black university. He has been at NCCU for 16 years, having moved to the United States in 2002. After retiring from active sports in 1997, Drake worked in the Dominican Republic as part of a sports mission by INDER for two years, where he met his current wife, Clare Barrington. After returning to Cuba and navigating a lengthy process of decisions and paperwork, he married and emigrated to the USA.
Drake is now Assistant Head Coach of the university's athletics program. His journey to this position was challenging, especially arriving in the USA at over 30 years old and without knowing English. He worked various jobs, from cleaning floors to being a cook, working in a sheet factory, and being a personal trainer until he began volunteering as a coach. Starting at Johns Hopkins University and then moving to University of South Carolina with one of the country's best coaches, Frye, Drake eventually landed his current position at NCCU.
He expresses deep gratitude for the opportunity to live in a country that has opened doors for him, allowed him to support his family, and helped him grow professionally and personally.
High Jump Favorites and Reflections
When asked about his favorite to win the high jump in Paris, Drake expressed a desire for Luis Enrique Zayas to win, despite not knowing Zayas's current form after an early-year injury. He also mentioned the Italian Gianmarco Tamberi and the Qatari Mutaz Essa Barshim as strong contenders.
Regarding Cuba's representation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Drake noted that the delegation would be the smallest since 1968, with just 60 athletes. He follows the Cuban jumpers closely and hopes for their success, regardless of the flag they compete under. Drake believes in the right to self-determination and feels that any Cuban athlete's success should be celebrated.
On personal happiness, Drake considers himself very happy, reflecting positively on his life achievements and his enduring friendship with Sotomayor. He reminisces about his early training days, career highlights, and the significant influence of his coaches and mentors.
Marino Drake's Career and Life Insights
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Marino Drake's career and life, offering a deeper understanding of his journey and achievements.
What are Marino Drake's career highlights?
Marino Drake's career highlights include participating in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 1991 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana. He achieved a personal best of 2.34 meters and earned various medals in international competitions.
How did Marino Drake transition to life in the United States?
After retiring from sports in 1997, Drake moved to the Dominican Republic for a sports mission before emigrating to the USA in 2002. He faced challenges, including learning English and working various jobs, before becoming an Assistant Head Coach at North Carolina Central University.
Who were the key influences in Marino Drake's athletic career?
Key influences in Marino Drake's athletic career include coaches Carmelo Benítez, Anacleto Espinosa, José Godoy, Juvenal Pérez, and Guillermo de la Torre. His friendship and training with Javier Sotomayor also played a significant role.