Cuban Triple Jumper Andy Díaz: "I Slept on the Streets in Rome in Front of the Immigration Office"

After clinching his first medal representing Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cuban triple jumper Andy Díaz, who won bronze, recounted the bitter moments he experienced during his initial months in Rome. In an interview with Il Messaggero, the Havana-born athlete shared, "I had nothing and lived off nothing. I slept several times on the street in front of the immigration office in Rome, then they moved the office, and I went to the other side as well."

"I had to sleep nearby to not lose my priority for the document appointment. Sometimes, I witnessed unpleasant scenes. I managed as best as I could during the day. But now I say that many nights spent on the streets were not in vain," recalled one of the key figures of the unprecedented podium of Cuban emigrants in the Parisian competition.

The two-time Diamond League winner (2022, 2023) finished in third place behind his compatriots Jordan Díaz and Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who competed for Spain and Portugal, respectively.

In his conversation with the media, Andy also expressed gratitude for the support of his coach, Fabrizio Donato, another former triple jumper and Olympic medalist in London 2012, and assured that he still has goals to achieve in the world of athletics.

At 28 years old, the athlete, whose personal best is 17.75 meters, was one of the 21 Cubans who participated in the Paris event under different flags.