The volleyball player Yoandy Leal, one of the talented athletes born in Cuba who will participate in these Olympic Games, will compete under the flag of Brazil, a country he considers his "home at heart". Leal aims to surpass the fourth place achieved with the Brazilian team in Tokyo 2020, although he already boasts a World Championship title won in 2019 representing the green and yellow nation.
"We are in pursuit of our best goal," he recently expressed on Instagram, referring to the Brazilian men's volleyball team's participation in Paris 2024, while wearing the jersey that identifies him with his new country of residence. "I am Brazilian at heart. Brazil was the country I chose, and I do not regret it," stated the Cuban, who became a Brazilian citizen in 2015, in a message he posted that year on social media celebrating Brazil's title win in Japan.
In 2017, the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation requested authorization to call him up, a request that was granted by the International Federation, although it clarified that the Cuban, having already played for his national team, could only reinforce the Brazilian team after fulfilling a two-year waiting period.
Leal debuted with the Cuban national team in 2007, when he played in the Under-21 World Championship, and he bid farewell to the national team in 2010, when he won the silver medal at the World Championship after losing in the final, precisely against Brazil.
The 2.02-meter volleyball player, who plays the position of outside hitter, was born on August 31, 1988, in Havana. He also plays as an attacker for the Italian club Gas Sales Piacenza. In the past, he also wore the jersey of the Italian team Cucine Lube Civitanova, where he shared the court with fellow Cuban Osmany Juantorena.
Leal is one of the 21 Cuban athletes who will represent other delegations at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a number that reflects the unstoppable exodus of athletes in recent years. Although Cuba did not manage to qualify its men's volleyball team, two Cuban athletes in this specialty will participate in the Olympic Games. Besides Yoandy Leal, Wilfredo León, considered one of the best volleyball players in the world, will compete representing Poland.
Cuban Athletes Competing for Other Nations at Paris 2024
Below are some frequently asked questions about the participation of Cuban athletes under different flags at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Why is Yoandy Leal competing under the Brazilian flag?
Yoandy Leal chose to become a Brazilian citizen in 2015 and considers Brazil his home "at heart". He has been competing for Brazil since his naturalization.
How many Cuban athletes will represent other nations at Paris 2024?
A total of 21 Cuban athletes will represent various other nations at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Who are the Cuban volleyball players competing for other countries?
Yoandy Leal will compete for Brazil, and Wilfredo León, considered one of the best volleyball players globally, will compete for Poland.