A TikTok user from the Dominican Republic, known as Carlos Rodríguez (@carlosrodriguez9883), shared an unexpected encounter from his inaugural trip to Cuba. While exploring the Playa municipality in Havana, he stumbled upon Andrés Simón, a distinguished former Cuban athlete and an icon in the country's sports history. “Look who I’ve bumped into—a true Olympic champion… What year was it?” Rodríguez inquired in his video. “'92,” Simón replied. The Dominican visitor couldn't hide his excitement: “Oh my, you are a legend. Here I am on my visit to Cuba, and I've just met this Olympic medalist. What a pleasure to meet you!”
The video quickly went viral on TikTok, sparking a wave of reactions ranging from admiration to criticism. Comments poured in, such as “Olympic glory. My respects,” and “My dear friend Andrés Simón… brought tears to my eyes seeing you,” recalling memorable times at La Lisa stadium.
Many comments were steeped in nostalgia. Observations like “Andrés Simón, a sprinter, was incredibly fast over 60 meters,” “he beat Ben Johnson,” “surpassed Carl Lewis,” and “an Olympic champion who never had anything” echoed through the responses. Some users expressed their frustration: “Forgotten like all who brought glory to our land,” “Cuban Olympic champions who have nothing,” “a legend forgotten by those he dedicated his medals to,” and “communism destroys everything and everyone.”
Others contextualized Simón's athletic prowess: “A great specialist in short relays, he once beat Carl Lewis in a 60-meter race in Spain. It's a shame we've let him be forgotten,” wrote one user. Another commented, “The best 60-meter runner in the world in his time,” and someone summarized, “This is how communism repays its sports legends.”
Born on April 15, 1961, in Guantánamo, Andrés Simón Gómez entered the world of athletics at 23 after a mission in Angola, earning the title “the master of the start in Cuba.” He claimed the world indoor 60-meter title in Budapest in 1989, triumphed over Carl Lewis in San Sebastián, and secured an Olympic bronze in the 4x100 relay at Barcelona 1992 with a time of 38 seconds, a national record still standing.
Simón was inducted into the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation Hall of Fame alongside legends like Javier Sotomayor, Roberto Hernández, and Maritza Martén.
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Sports Legends
Who is Andrés Simón?
Andrés Simón is a renowned former Cuban sprinter, known for his achievements in the 60-meter sprint and the 4x100 relay, including an Olympic bronze medal in 1992.
What are some of Andrés Simón's achievements?
Simón won the world indoor 60-meter race in Budapest in 1989, beat Carl Lewis in San Sebastián, and earned a bronze medal in the 4x100 relay at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Why is Andrés Simón considered a forgotten legend?
Despite his achievements, many feel Simón, like other Cuban athletes, has been neglected by the state, which fails to honor their contributions amidst the country's challenging political and economic conditions.