The Cuban canoeist Fernando Dayán Jorge will once again compete under the Olympic rings, but this time representing the Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) after leaving the island in March 2022. Dayán Jorge and weightlifter Ramiro Mora Romero are the only athletes from Cuba to be part of this select group, making them the first Cubans in history to join it.
In the Tokyo 2020 edition, alongside his teammate Serguey Torres, Dayán Jorge won the gold medal in the C2 1000 meters canoeing event, setting an Olympic record with a time of 3:24.995. The two athletes had an outstanding finish in their race, surpassing the Chinese duo, who had led until the last 250 meters.
"As a team, we worked very hard for an entire year, even when the pandemic hit. Every day, the training was intense, and we always had our minds set on the gold medal. And that's what we achieved," Jorge told the press at the time.
The athlete from Cienfuegos left a training base in Mexico in March 2022, a move mirrored by his kayaking teammate Fidel Vargas. Within two weeks, both athletes managed to cross the border and set foot on U.S. soil. During his journey to the United States, Jorge notably saved a fellow Cuban from drowning in the Rio Grande.
His inclusion in the EOR sparked an angry response from the Cuban regime in the days leading up to the Paris Games. The international Olympic authorities' decision was labeled as "manipulation" by the official press. Following the Communist Party's directives, Cuban TV commentator Pavel Otero, one of the regime's spokespeople, criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for including the two athletes in the EOR.
Fernando Dayán Jorge is set to compete next Wednesday, August 7, in the men's C-1 1000 m event at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in France.
FAQs on Fernando Dayán Jorge and the Refugee Olympic Team
In light of Fernando Dayán Jorge's participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics under the Refugee Olympic Team, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why did Fernando Dayán Jorge leave Cuba?
Fernando Dayán Jorge left Cuba in March 2022 while at a training base in Mexico. He, along with his kayaking teammate Fidel Vargas, managed to cross the border into the United States within two weeks.
What achievements did Fernando Dayán Jorge have in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Fernando Dayán Jorge, alongside his teammate Serguey Torres, won the gold medal in the C2 1000 meters canoeing event and set an Olympic record with a time of 3:24.995.
How did the Cuban regime react to Fernando Dayán Jorge joining the Refugee Olympic Team?
The Cuban regime reacted angrily to Fernando Dayán Jorge's inclusion in the Refugee Olympic Team. The official press labeled the decision by the international Olympic authorities as "manipulation," and Cuban TV commentator Pavel Otero criticized the IOC for including the athletes in the EOR.