Five-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Cuban athlete Mijaín López, paid tribute to the memory of dictator Fidel Castro alongside leaders, neighbors, family, and friends who participated in an event organized by the authorities of the regime in his neighborhood.
A team from the Cuban Television News (NTV) reported on “the homage our people continue to pay to our Olympic athletes on this memorable date of August 13, the anniversary of the birth of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution.”
“We must continue to show the world our endurance, to demonstrate that we need to correct, study, sacrifice, and achieve great things for the future, for the young people who follow us,” declared the wrestler, who was gifted a Mercedes Benz by the dictatorship in 2020.
Having become the new champion of the so-called “revolutionary sport,” Mijaín frequently appears in Cuban state media, which jubilantly celebrate the champion who brought Cuba into the headlines during the recently concluded Olympics.
His image has been exploited by the propaganda of a totalitarian regime that uses violence against dissenters and those demanding rights and freedoms, leveraging his physique as a symbol of the dictatorship’s strength.
The athlete, who has repeatedly played into the hands of the dictatorial regime, went as far as to physically assault an activist during the last Pan American Games in Chile. He appeared this Tuesday wearing a T-shirt adorned with Fidel Castro’s signature.
“I don’t think there’s a great athlete in life capable of having so many chapters in history without family. Family gives you essence, wisdom. I think it’s historic to have won five gold medals and to be Cuban, representing the Cuban people, such a small country but big at heart... I feel flattered by my people,” Mijaín stated, standing next to the Secretary-General of the Central Workers' Union of Cuba, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, and top officials of Havana.
The athlete and National Assembly deputy took advantage of the "spontaneous" tribute to insert a slogan of support for the Cuban regime and the leader of the so-called "continuity," the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel.
During the Olympics, Díaz-Canel called the athlete on the eve of his gold medal match. Mijaín thanked him for the call and said, "Rest assured that tomorrow that title will belong to Cuba."
“I’m not exaggerating when I say #MijaínIsCuba: the people of African and European roots who do not give up, who do not sell out, who believe in themselves and their lineage. The most important thing about the Olympics, without Cuban chauvinism. It is a unique feat. What admiration! How happy I am!” wrote the continuist Díaz-Canel minutes after López’s fifth victory.
Understanding Mijaín López's Tribute to Fidel Castro
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers that provide more insight into Mijaín López's recent tribute to Fidel Castro, his role in Cuban propaganda, and the broader implications for Cuban society.
Who is Mijaín López?
Mijaín López is a five-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling from Cuba. He is well-known for his athletic achievements and his frequent appearances in Cuban state media.
Why did Mijaín López pay tribute to Fidel Castro?
Mijaín López paid tribute to Fidel Castro as part of a commemorative event organized by the Cuban regime to honor the anniversary of Castro's birth. The event aimed to show loyalty and continuity to the regime’s ideology.
How is Mijaín López's image used by the Cuban regime?
The Cuban regime uses Mijaín López’s image as a symbol of strength and endurance. His achievements are exploited by state propaganda to promote the regime's narrative and bolster its image.
What did Díaz-Canel say after López's victory?
After Mijaín López’s fifth Olympic victory, Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his admiration, stating that López embodies the spirit of the Cuban people, who are resilient and proud of their heritage.