The protests over the lack of food and other basic human needs that took place across Cuba last month also have a lot to do with the story of Wilfredo León, the latest and possibly greatest Cuban sporting export, one more star athlete his nation has lost to the riches of modern sports
Poland's Wilfredo Leon Venero (L) hits the ball in the men's preliminary round pool A volleyball match between Poland and Italy during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (Photo by Yuri Cortez / AFP)
TOKYO — There are roughly 11,000 athletes at the Olympics here, each with a story. Here is one of them, about the world’s greatest volleyball player.
He is an adopted son of Poland, born 28 years ago in Cuba. If that sounds curious, here is a hint about the explanation: The protests over the lack of food and other basic human needs that took place across Cuba last month also have a lot to do with the story of Wilfredo León, the latest and possibly greatest Cuban sporting export, one more star athlete his nation has lost to the riches of modern sports.
“In Cuba, they tell you when you are growing up that all the great champions of the past have suffered through these conditions, that the suffering will help you become the best,†León said from his Warsaw home as he prepared to travel to Tokyo. “It is not true. To give your best you need good facilities, a nice place where you can rest, good food, doctors. That is the only way you can have a long sporting life.â€
León, the star outside hitter for his professional team in Italy and more recently for Poland, has long been considered one of the top volleyball players in the world. But this is the first time he is competing for his adopted homeland at an Olympics, because of the protracted processes he had to endure: first, to get permission to leave Cuba and then to become eligible to represent Poland at the Games.
His presence on its national team has made Poland a gold medal contender, and it went 4-1 in preliminary-round play in no small part because of León.
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