Mijaín López, the 41-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler who made history by becoming the only athlete to win five gold medals in five consecutive Olympic Games, expressed his desire to continue supporting young athletes passionate about the sport after retiring from active competition.
In an exclusive interview with Marca, the Cuban athlete stated that he intends to remain involved in the sport and to contribute to the development of wrestlers from the island, which is currently experiencing a massive exodus of athletes. "I want to keep helping the young people in this sport who want to achieve great things and to be a mentor where I am needed and wanted," he said after confirming his retirement from competitions.
"I recently said that I can't compete anymore. It's not that I've given up, but there are other things in life, like being with family and children, that one has to experience. Now is the time to say goodbye to the competitive side of this sport," he emphasized.
Reflecting on His Victory in Paris 2024
Regarding his victory at Paris 2024, López described it as spectacular, adding, "After so many years of career, achieving this result is incredible." He continued, "They said it was impossible, but we've done it," underscoring that perseverance and a love for the sport have been crucial to his success.
Last Tuesday, López added to his legend by defeating his compatriot Yasmani Acosta (6-0), who represents Chile, to become an Olympic champion for the fifth time in a historic final in the 130-kilogram Greco-Roman category at the Paris 2024 games. This triumph marked the first gold medal for the island in the current Olympics.
His only Olympic defeat occurred on August 24, 2004, against Russian wrestler Kashan Baroev. Subsequently, López achieved victories in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris.
López is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history.
Mijaín López's Olympic Journey and Future Plans
In this section, we address some of the most common questions regarding Mijaín López's illustrious career and his plans for the future.
How many Olympic gold medals has Mijaín López won?
Mijaín López has won five Olympic gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling.
What are Mijaín López's plans after retiring from competition?
After retiring, López plans to continue supporting young athletes and serve as a mentor in the sport.
Who did Mijaín López defeat to win his fifth Olympic gold medal?
López defeated Yasmani Acosta, representing Chile, in the 130-kilogram Greco-Roman category at Paris 2024.