In a significant blow to Cuban athletics, nine out of the 12 athletes from Cuba's canoeing delegation in Montreal, Canada, have chosen not to return home after participating in the III Sprint Canoe World Cup and the Pan American Championship. This marks the largest defection ever recorded in this sport within Cuba, as reported by journalist Raúl Rodríguez, who cited a reliable source.
The athletes who left the team include Madelen Heredia Domínguez, Lismary Bombino Resua, Julio Suárez Hidalgo, Carlos Abreu Herrera, Yisnoli López, Anthony Lamadrid Cabrera, Javier Requeiro Gil, Gabriela González Cruz, and Daylen Rodríguez.
Remaining with the national team are only three members: José Ramón Pelier Córdoba, Geduar González, and the world champion and Olympic medalist Yarisleidis Cirilo.
The Impact on Future Competitions
The Cuban delegation had traveled to Montreal to compete in the World Cup from July 9-12 and the Pan American Championship from July 13-15. However, Heredia Domínguez and Bombino Resua withdrew from the team before competing, forcing Cuba to pull out of the women's K-4 500 meters event at the Pan American Championship.
Despite the defections, Cuba did see success at the Pan American Championship. Yarisleidis Cirilo and Yinnolis Franchesca López secured a gold medal in the C-2 women's 500 meters with a time of 2:00.98, earning them a direct qualification to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games. Cirilo also captured a bronze medal in the World Cup's C-1 200 meters with a time of 45.23 seconds.
Challenges for the Central American and Caribbean Games
The immediate consequence of these defections is felt in the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026, which are set to begin on July 24, just days away. Several of the defected athletes, including Requeiro Gil, Bombino Resua, González Cruz, and Abreu Herrera, were slated to compete in Santo Domingo, where a total of 10 canoeing events are scheduled.
“With the departure of nine members, the Cuban canoeing team is now severely weakened ahead of the 2026 Games in Santo Domingo, prompting the federation to urgently find replacements with limited preparation time,” Rodríguez commented.
A Broader Trend of Defections
This episode is part of a broader pattern of defections plaguing Cuban sports for years. Since 2022, over 100 athletes annually have left delegations or breached international contracts, accumulating more than 1,000 instances over the past decade. In 2025, six athletes defected during the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, and three rowers sought asylum in Paraguay.
Specific to canoeing, three kayakists had previously left the delegation in Canada before the full extent of this latest defection was revealed. As of Thursday, both the National Institute of Sports (INDER) and the Cuban Canoeing Federation have remained silent on these recent events.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuban Canoeing Team Defection
Why did the Cuban athletes defect in Montreal?
While specific reasons for this defection have not been publicly stated, it is part of a larger trend of Cuban athletes seeking to leave the country, possibly due to better opportunities and living conditions abroad.
What impact do these defections have on Cuba's sports?
The defections significantly weaken the Cuban canoeing team, affecting their ability to compete in upcoming events such as the Central American and Caribbean Games. The need for replacements also puts additional strain on resources and preparation time.