Cuba in Paris

Cuban weightlifter Ramiro Mora, a former circus performer who fled Cuba for the U.K. in 2019 seeking political asylum, is set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics after overcoming numerous challenges, including a protest against the Cuban regime. Mora's impressive achievements in weightlifting led to his inclusion in the Refugee Olympic Team, alongside 35 other athletes, supported by a scholarship from the IOC. Meanwhile, Cuba's boxing legacy hangs on the shoulders of 24-year-old Erislandy Álvarez, the nation's only gold medal hope, who will face tough competition from local favorite Sofiane Oumiha in the final. The Cuban boxing team has faced difficulties, with a generational talent gap and a recent decline in Olympic medal counts, marking a stark contrast to its historic dominance. As athletes like Mora and Álvarez represent their nation on the global stage, they embody the struggles and aspirations of many Cubans seeking better opportunities abroad. These narratives reflect both the personal and national stakes involved in the upcoming Olympic Games.