A video shared on Thursday by the Facebook page Ayer y Hoy highlighted the severe neglect of the pool complex at the Manuel "Piti Fajardo" sports school in Santiago de Cuba. The footage reveals overgrown weeds, cracked tiles, and an empty Olympic-sized pool, all stark indicators of years of abandonment.
The video attracted over 25,000 views and more than 200 comments, many from former athletes who once trained there, expressing their sorrow and outrage over the current state of the facility.
The complex boasted at least three pools: a 50-meter pool, a water polo pool, and a diving tank with a springboard. For decades, these facilities were essential in training swimmers, divers, and synchronized swimmers who later joined national teams and triathlon squads.
"I used to train in the 50-meter pool; it was my favorite. It's heartbreaking. My son studied there too, and now the school kids play baseball inside," wrote one former athlete.
Another alumnus, who claimed to have made it to the national diving team, reminisced about the pool's significance in his sporting life. "That pool was my love; it taught me to swim. Thanks to it, I found my way to stay in Spain," he commented.
A former water polo player who witnessed the complex's construction recalled achieving his first sub-minute time in the 100-meter freestyle there. "It's sad to see it like this," he wrote.
The Extent of the Decay
One user, shocked by the level of disrepair, questioned the description used in the video. "It's not on its way to total destruction; it is completely destroyed," he asserted, suggesting it might be more feasible to build a new complex than to restore the existing one.
Other comments highlighted the challenge of replacing such infrastructure. "Not all provinces have a diving tank, especially not one of those dimensions. I doubt they can restore it," another user remarked.
A Reflection of Broader Neglect
The response from ex-athletes underscores the loss of a facility that was integral to sports training in Santiago de Cuba for decades, now captured in images of neglect and decay.
"Sports, a right for the people. These pools don't matter, but the hotel pools do," summarized a citizen in the comments, encapsulating the bitterness felt by those who watch the government abandon facilities that once nurtured generations of athletes.
In 2022, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation admitted that only 27 out of 273 pools across the country were operational, a mere 9.8% of the total. The trend of worsening conditions is evident nationwide.
In Havana, the Río Cristal recreational complex was reported with empty pools and rusted diving towers, while the Holguín Sports Arena had pools filled with stagnant water.
In Santiago de Cuba, the deterioration of public infrastructure has accelerated recently. The Dream Park closed the summer with stalled attractions, the José Martí district fair was completely dismantled, and the old Venus Hotel turned into an open-air dump.
Hurricane Melissa, which in October 2025 affected more than 95,000 homes and around 2,000 state facilities in the province, worsened an already existing structural decline prior to the cyclone.
Understanding the Decline of Sports Facilities in Cuba
What led to the neglect of the sports school in Santiago de Cuba?
Years of systemic neglect and lack of maintenance have led to the current state of disrepair at the Manuel "Piti Fajardo" sports school, reflecting broader issues in public infrastructure management in Cuba.
How many pools are operational in Cuba according to recent reports?
As of 2022, only 27 out of 273 pools in Cuba were operational, which is less than 10% of the total pools in the country.
What impact did Hurricane Melissa have on Santiago de Cuba's infrastructure?
Hurricane Melissa exacerbated the structural decline in Santiago de Cuba, affecting over 95,000 homes and approximately 2,000 state facilities, adding to the existing issues of neglect.