On Sunday, three Cuban handball players became the latest athletes to join the relentless exodus from the island, leaving the national team's training camp in France. According to journalist Francys Romero on Facebook, the athletes Daril Lois González (22, Havana), Diosel Rondón (21, Granma), and Jorge Félix Pren (23, Matanzas) chose to dramatically change the course of their athletic careers and lives amidst the substantial hardships faced in Cuba.
These young men were in France as part of their preparation for the 2025 Handball World Championship scheduled in Croatia from January 4 to February 2. "These three athletes will now pursue their careers outside of Cuba and aim to break into the professional handball level once they resolve their immigration status," Romero noted.
The Continuing Trend of Athlete Departures
Just recently, three baseball players abandoned their team shortly before an exhibition game against Mexico at the Tepic Stadium, also known as the "Colossus of the Pacific," as reported by Romero. The baseball players who left the delegation were: Branlis Rodríguez (left-handed pitcher from Pinar del Río), Over Cremet (outfielder from Guantánamo), and Alexis Varona (infielder from Havana).
The escape occurred roughly two hours before the team was scheduled to travel to the stadium by bus for the game, which took place last Wednesday.