The world record held by Javier Sotomayor, those 2.45 meters that no one has been able to surpass since 1993, remains one of the few athletic achievements still connecting the Cuban people to their golden past. Therefore, every word spoken by the "Prince of Heights" outside the island carries significant weight. This time, speaking from India, his message was both a warning and a reflection: "Now I know what we need in Cuba."
His remarks came during a visit to New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN), where the legendary Cuban high jumper was notably impressed by the MONDO track and the modern facilities, which he believes are essential for a nation to excel in high-performance sports.
News outlets such as NDTV Sports, ANI News, and IANS Live extensively covered his tour of the sports complex, which included interactions with Indian athletes, coaches, and promising young track and field talents.
At 58, Sotomayor praised the track, calling it "fantastic" and remarking that its quality "enables achieving great results." However, his most pointed comments followed his stadium tour, as he expressed Cuba's aspirations to have similar facilities in the coming years, concluding with a statement that reveals much: "Now we have an idea of what it takes."
For someone who rarely criticizes the internal situation of his home nation publicly, this comment is a sharp critique of the declining state of Cuban sports, plagued by resource shortages, neglected facilities, mass talent exodus, and the government's failure to maintain structures that were once a source of national pride.
While India invests in modernizing its sports infrastructure, Cuba remains stuck in unfulfilled promises and stadiums that crumble in plain sight.
The stark contrast is even more apparent when young athletes like Palestinian Mohammed Dwedar, who accompanied Sotomayor on his visit, declare that competing in a stadium like JLN is "a dream." In Cuba, for many athletes, the dream is quite the opposite—seeking to emigrate or finding a place with basic training conditions.
The touching encounter between Sotomayor and Indian Paralympian Sharad Kumar, who called him "an icon" and admitted to following his career from the start, reminded the world of what the Cuban still represents.
The iconic jumper traveled to New Delhi as an international guest of the Ekamra 2025 Sports Literature Festival, where he participated as a panelist alongside other global track and field figures. In addition to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Sotomayor visited the newly constructed SAI gymnasium and high-performance programs that have fueled the rise of athletics in India.
Understanding Cuba's Sports Challenges
What did Javier Sotomayor observe in India that Cuba lacks?
Sotomayor noted the advanced facilities and high-quality infrastructure in India, such as the MONDO track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which he believes are crucial for achieving high-performance sports results. He sees these as necessary for Cuba to regain its competitive edge.
Why are Sotomayor's comments significant?
His comments are significant as they represent a rare public critique from a revered Cuban sports figure about the deteriorating state of Cuban sports infrastructure and the government's inability to support and maintain competitive athletic programs.
How is India's investment in sports infrastructure different from Cuba's current situation?
India is actively investing in modernizing its sports facilities and infrastructure, which contrasts sharply with Cuba's stagnant situation, marked by unfulfilled promises and deteriorating sports venues.