Damián Meriño, a former Cuban gymnast, might have stood on world and even Olympic podiums if not for the era he lived in. Due to political whims, Cuban athletes missed the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics. Additionally, poor management by the coaching staff at that time may have played a role. Sitting before me is the same charming young man with a warm smile—just a few years older—now training a talented group of students in Miami.
In Florida, many parents see gymnastics as a recreational activity for their children, providing exercise and discipline. As a result, it's common to find facilities welcoming children as young as six months, which was news to me.
The Current Life of Damián Meriño
Today, I am a gymnastics coach at Tag USA Gymnastics in Weston, Miami. I'm 52 years old and reside in Hialeah. I've been in the gymnastics field since 1999 when I moved to Brazil on a work contract, not through the INDER. In Brazil, I worked as both an athlete and a coach until 2014, when I decided to move to the United States, as my entire family was already here. I discussed it with my wife, and we decided to process the paperwork to come.
Settling in the United States
Have I ever regretted coming here? Not at all! I am incredibly grateful to my mom, my sister Jackelin, and my brother-in-law Andrés, who were a great help when we arrived. They guided me, my wife, and my children as we settled in.
Now, except for my father and one brother, the entire family lives here. My father chose to stay in Cuba. He used to visit with a five-year visa, which has since expired, and now, due to his age, my brother and I are working on bringing him here permanently through family reunification or humanitarian parole.
Family Legacy in Gymnastics
Did any of your children follow in your footsteps? My son Chris was a gymnast in Brazil, winning state championships multiple times. Although Cuban-born, he moved to Brazil at two years old. When we arrived in the U.S., things were challenging because my family lived in Tampa, while I found work in Weston, Miami. For a year, I traveled back and forth, working weekdays in Miami and spending weekends with my family in Tampa, which interrupted Chris's training.
Once I brought them to Miami, Chris, now 24, returned to the sport and competed in several events. He reached level 10 but eventually decided to stop training. Currently, he is also a trainer like me here in Weston and studies programming. I also have a daughter, Cecilia, 19, who is pursuing art and technology (animation) in college. They are my world.
Reflecting on Early Inspirations
Looking back, my decision to choose gymnastics over another sport began after watching the 1980 Moscow Olympics. I was eight years old and fascinated by gymnastics. Sitting with my family in the living room, I started mimicking what I saw on TV. My mom noticed my interest and took me to the "Antonio Maceo" gymnastics center in Santiago de Cuba.
After undergoing some tests, I was told they’d get back to us. While playing with friends on my street, trying to imitate Olympic moves, my first coach, now deceased, spotted me and asked to meet my parents. That marked the beginning of my gymnastics journey at the EIDE at age eight. I participated in school games and was recruited to the National Gymnastics School from 1983 to 1990. I then joined the youth team and, in 1991, advanced to the National Selection. I competed in the Pan American Games in Havana, with gymnastics events held at the "Alejandro Urgellés" in Santiago. It was thrilling to perform as a young Santiago native in my hometown.
Memories and Challenges
Do you remember those days, Julita? Competing alongside legends like Casimiro Suárez and Erick López, I won the rings and floor exercises. The crowd went wild! It's the greatest thrill I've ever experienced, especially because Cuba won as a team. Four years later, at the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, I repeated my individual victories, although the team placed second. I remained with the Cuban team until retiring in 1996.
Influences and Idols
During my career, my idol was Dmitri Bilozérchev, a gymnast from the former Soviet Union known for his impeccable and virtuous performances. Watching him was a delight. Bilozérchev is now a renowned coach in the United States, and his daughter became an Olympic medalist. Another favorite was Valeri Liukin, a Kazakh gymnast who represented the USSR and became a double Olympic champion in Seoul 88 and a double world champion in 1987 and 1991.
Among Cuban gymnasts, Casimiro Suárez stood out as the best of his time, alongside Manrique Larduet and Erick López, who are among Cuba's most notable gymnasts in history. I also admired Mario Castro and Israel Sánchez, who belonged to an older generation. Bilozérchev and Casimiro were my biggest inspirations.
Guidance from Coaches
In sports, a good coach is crucial. I had the privilege of learning from several excellent trainers. In Havana, I worked with Antonio Vázquez, known as El Tony, who sadly passed away in Mexico two years ago. Emilio Sagré, another great mentor, guided me and now resides in Mexico, where he has trained many national athletes. Héctor Ramírez, who also trained Casimiro Suárez, was another influential coach. He later moved to Puerto Rico and subsequently to Spain. Ángel Franco, an outstanding coach, led the technical aspects. I respected him greatly, and he passed away in the United States.
There were other trainers like Ernesto Izaguirre and Agustín Barcea. Sagré, Miguel Calle, and Antonio Vázquez were responsible for transitioning young athletes to higher levels. I joined the Cerro Pelado when I moved up to the senior national team in 1988, after Cuba's decision not to attend the Seoul Olympics. Despite winning a national event with all participants, I wasn't considered for the Olympic team. Erick López and I advanced together. Do you remember those days?
The Missed Olympic Opportunity
Yes, 1988: as a junior, I wasn't yet part of the National Selection, nor was Erick. But that year, Cuba boycotted the Seoul Olympics, depriving us of the opportunity to compete, while all other socialist bloc athletes attended. It was a unilateral protest by the Cuban government that nobody understood. Casimiro Suárez could have achieved the best performance by a Cuban gymnast at the Olympics, potentially winning a medal, but it was all taken away.
In a feeble attempt to compensate, Cuba held its own Olympics that year. I won, even as a junior, against the 21 senior team members. I also triumphed in the National Junior Tournament. The number of excellent gymnasts was remarkable: 21 in the senior team with Olympic prospects, plus a junior selection!
You protested this injustice on the news, questioning why I wasn't among the 21 after such victories. Despite winning as a junior in selection competitions and the Moncada tournament, the opportunity was lost due to Fidel Castro's whims. A Cuban Olympics was held, where I performed well alongside José Tejada, marking a significant moment in my professional life. As a junior, I ranked among the top seven in the senior squad. With the National Selection composed of 21 athletes—seven regulars and 14 reserves—and a junior team with reserves, I was notably among the top seven.
Reflecting on Cuba's Gymnastics Decline
Participating in the Friendship Youth Games, which included athletes from the socialist bloc in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, was a highlight. I won gold in floor exercises and silver on rings, while Cuba took silver as a team. It's disheartening to see how, after years of establishing a presence in elite gymnastics, Cuba no longer competes or wins at the Central American Games. This reflects the dire state of sports on the island.
My time with the national team spanned from 1989 to 1996. I competed in every Moncada tournament during those years, which were highly competitive due to the participation of top gymnasts from the socialist bloc. Gymnastics garnered significant interest in Cuba at that time, showcasing high-level sportsmanship. International athletes from world gymnastics elites came to Cuba, providing exposure and competition that helped us grow. Those experiences are vastly different from the current struggles faced by Cuban gymnasts, who often turn to the circus or emigrate.
Besides continental competitions, I participated in the 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce, Puerto Rico, winning gold in floor and rings and team gold. In 1991, I competed in the World Championships in Indianapolis, USA. In 1993, we qualified for the 1994 World Championships in Germany. I also competed in the 1995 World Championships in Japan and the first World Specialties Championship in 1996 in Puerto Rico, where I ranked fifth worldwide in rings. Initially second behind Italian Jury Chechi, a mistake during the finals left me tied for fifth with Iván Ivankov.
The Grim Reality of Cuban Gymnastics Today
Although you’ve already hinted at your thoughts on the current state of Cuban gymnastics, I must ask again. Since leaving Cuba in 1999, I haven't followed it closely. However, I'm aware of the significant shortages in sports equipment and the lack of competitions. The governance of Cuban gymnastics has taken an unfortunate political turn, impacting its progress. In Cuba, advancement isn't based on merit but political affiliation.
Moreover, there are no resources. Gymnastics is an expensive sport, requiring costly equipment and constant innovation to achieve better results. Competitions are as essential as training. Without visibility and recognition from judges, athletes always face an uphill battle. In Cuba, gymnasts directly proceed to Central American Games qualifications without a clear path forward.
Consider what happened with Diorges Escobar, a world-class gymnast who could have competed in Paris 2024. He was rushed into World Cup events to gather the points needed for an Olympic spot. Instead of economizing so he and his coach could attend all four competitions, they were accompanied by a sports commissioner, incurring unnecessary expenses. Consequently, they couldn't attend Doha, and Diorges missed the needed points. Now, imagine what motivation remains for that athlete other than joining a circus or moving abroad.
What about the unjust treatment of the national team coaches, Carlos Rafael Gil and Yareimi Vázquez, who were expelled from Cuban gymnastics and have since elevated Panama's gymnastics in a short time? Their only "crime" was attempting to do things right, prioritizing athletes and teams.
Cuban gymnastics has gone silent. We don't see them competing globally; they don't participate. Despite this, a few gymnasts manage to reach or approach the current sport level, like Diorges. However, it's just one or two, insufficient to form a team. From what I've gathered, the system is broken in Cuba.
There's a shortage of coaches and even athletes because they all leave the country. The situation is unsustainable and about survival, with a constant need to replace trainers. In these circumstances, it's impossible for our era or better ones to materialize on the island.