Olympic boxing champion Erislandy Álvarez has publicly criticized the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) for giving him a substandard car as a reward for his gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "What they gave me was a piece of junk," he bluntly stated, expressing frustration with the vehicle's poor condition.
Álvarez, a prominent figure in Cuban boxing today, took to Facebook to vent his dissatisfaction and elaborated on the issues. In a post where he was tagged alongside other athletes by journalist Ernesto Amaya Esquivel, Álvarez didn't hold back. "Why tag me in that award ceremony if what I got was a piece of crap? The only thing that works is the engine. I've already spent nearly $5,000 on it and there's still more to fix. These are things that don't get published," he complained.
He explained that the Hyundai Grand i10 he received was in terrible shape, forcing him to invest thousands of dollars in just two weeks to make it safe to drive. "When you publish, publish something respectable, because this is not. Despite a tire blowout, thank God nothing happened to me," he concluded.
Although he later deleted the post, it was captured and shared by specialized media like Swing Completo, who praised the athlete's courage in publicly exposing the dire conditions faced even by those who bring Olympic glory to the country.
Erislandy Álvarez: A Key Figure in Paris 2024
Erislandy Álvarez became a hero of Cuban sports by securing the island's only gold medal in boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The pugilist excelled in the 63.5-kilogram category, decisively defeating top-tier opponents.
From the elimination rounds, where his technique and discipline shone, to the final bout against a Kazakh rival, Álvarez's performance was impeccable, earning him the Olympic gold. His triumph not only reinforced Cuba's boxing tradition on the international stage but also served as a celebrated achievement amid the overall subdued performance of the Cuban delegation in Paris 2024.
Defective Cars as Rewards
Álvarez's predicament with the faulty vehicle is not unique. During a ceremony held on March 3 at the City Sports Coliseum in Havana, INDER distributed used and deteriorating cars to several standout athletes and coaches. These vehicles, previously used in the tourism rental sector, were handed over despite their obvious flaws as rewards for the recipients' "dedication and loyalty."
Social media has echoed similar complaints. Images shared on the Facebook page Por la Goma reveal that the white car given to Briandy Molina Elías is missing parts and has chipped paint. In Banes, para-athlete Ulicer Aguilera Cruz received a vehicle with a misaligned hood, as shown in photos published by INDER itself.
Other athletes and coaches also received defective cars, including coach Raúl de Jesús Trujillo Díaz, a pivotal figure in the successes of wrestler Mijaín López, and sports icons like Enrique Figuerola Camué (athletics), Omara Durand Elías (para-athletics), and Luis Miguel Rodríguez Ricardo (baseball).
The list of awardees included, besides Erislandy Álvarez, Luis Alberto Orta Sánchez (Greco-Roman wrestling), Yusneylis Guzmán López (freestyle wrestling), Milaimy de la Caridad Marín Potrillé (freestyle wrestling), Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes (para-athletics), Yunier Fernández Izquierdo (para table tennis), Guillermo Varona González (para-athletics), Yamel Luis Vives Suárez (para-athletics), Pablo Ramírez Barrientos (powerlifting), and Sheyla Hernández Estupiñán (para-judo).
This isn't the first time Álvarez has challenged the official apparatus. On February 1, he publicly supported Cuban boxer David Morrell Jr. in his fight against American David Benavidez in Las Vegas, defying the usual silence of national sports figures.
Álvarez's bravery reflects the frustration built up over years of institutional neglect and scarcity. His outcry highlights the harsh reality many athletes face on the island, even when they reach the pinnacle of Olympic sports.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Cuban Athletes
Why did Erislandy Álvarez criticize the car he received?
Álvarez criticized the car because it was in poor condition, requiring him to spend thousands of dollars for repairs, and he felt it was a disrespectful reward for his Olympic achievement.
What was the reaction to Álvarez's public complaint?
His complaint was captured and shared by media outlets, who praised his courage in exposing the poor conditions faced by athletes, even those who achieve Olympic success.
Are other Cuban athletes experiencing similar issues?
Yes, other athletes and coaches have reported receiving defective cars as rewards, highlighting a broader issue of inadequate recognition for their achievements.