Julita Osendi Condemns Fake Photo of Juantorena: "Outrageous and Degrading"

Sports journalist and commentator Julita Osendi has openly criticized the spread of a fake photo on social media that falsely claims to show Alberto Juantorena in a state of severe neglect and malnutrition. In a post on her Facebook account, Osendi denounced the image, labeling it as "fake and degrading," and emphasized that the Olympic champion is receiving proper care and is surrounded by family and friends.

The viral image depicts an elderly person who is extremely thin, with visible bones, wearing tattered clothing, and sitting on a bed with blue sheets. It circulated under the headline "Última Hora Cuba" with the caption "Alberto Juantorena: From Olympic Podium to Abandonment," and was shared by critics, artists, and social media users who, amid real reports of the athlete's health decline, accepted the identification without verification.

Facebook user Yusmila Reyna Ferrera compared the fake image to a genuine photograph published by Cubanet in 2024, which indeed shows Juantorena in a wheelchair and very thin. She consulted artificial intelligence, which confirmed it was not the same person. Another user, Carlos Miguel Mateos Rosaenz, shared the image with explicit doubts, saying, "I hope it’s not him. But it wouldn’t be surprising if it were. Many of Cuba’s sports legends have ended their lives this way."

Osendi confirmed that the legendary athlete is battling a serious illness: "Alberto is ill, very ill, suffering from a degenerative, irreversible, and painful condition; however, contrary to the false narrative, Juantorena is well-cared for, comforted by his family and lifelong friends, including those from the Cuban athletics community."

Remembering the Legacy of a Sports Legend

The commentator also shared an old interview with Juantorena, in which he recounts his legendary comeback in the 4x400 relay at the 1982 Central American Games in Havana, where he overcame a 25 to 30-meter disadvantage to overtake Jamaican runner Carl Smith. Juantorena reflects, "I keep searching for the reason behind that victory; even now, I can’t imagine or define where I found the strength."

For Osendi, spreading such images violates the dignity of the athlete: "Sharing images that infringe on a person's privacy during vulnerable moments is disrespectful to their dignity and immense history."

The Cuban Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) also issued an official statement on Friday, refuting the image and the story. The organization assured that Juantorena is "receiving the medical, familial, and institutional care required for his condition" and firmly rejected the claims: "They lie with cynicism, hatred, and a lack of sensitivity. Both the image and the narrative are false."

Juantorena's Unparalleled Achievements

Juantorena, hailed as the greatest athlete in Cuba's history, remains the only man to have won both the 400 and 800 meters at the same Olympics, a feat accomplished in Montreal 1976 with world records in both events. His health deterioration has been progressively documented since 2022, when he was hospitalized in critical condition due to dengue and post-COVID complications. By March 2026, journalist Yasel Porto reported a diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease, with commentator Héctor Villar noting his grave condition.

A Pattern of Misinformation

This incident is not isolated; in October 2026, INDER had to debunk similar stories about the alleged abandonment of former world boxing champion Bernardo Comas, highlighting a recurring pattern with Cuban sports icons.

Osendi concluded her message with a call for respect for the man who inspired generations of Cubans: "Today, away from morbid curiosity and misinformation, Alberto Juantorena Danger deserves respect, privacy, and the eternal affection of the millions of Cubans he thrilled with his victories."