Cuba and Olympism Our revolution has established the principle whereby sport is a right of the people, and we could add that sport is also a duty of the people... Fidel Castro 2nd September 1977 CUBA 110,922 sq. km: 9,500,000 inhabitants (approximately). Role of the COC To promote and maintain the Cuban people s interest in amateur sports activities. To arouse the interest of Cuban youth for physical activites by offering them the possibility of participating in sport on an amateur basis. To uphold the amateur ideal and to develop the physical and moral education of the Cuban young in order to improve their health, sharpen their patriotism, strengthen their character and reinforce their qualities of citizenship. Development COMITE OLÍMPlCO CUBANO (COC) Founded in 1937. Recognised by the IOC (in its present form) in 1954. President in office: Manuel Gonzalez Guerra *. Secretary General in office: Fabio Ruiz Vinajeras *. Address; Calle 13, N o 601, e/b y C, Vedado, Zona Postal 4, Havana, Cuba. Telephone: 32-8441 and 32-0636. Cable: OLIMPICUBA. * See biographical notes. Ramón Fonst, a talented fencer resident in France, took part, with success, in the second Olympic Games of the modern era. Four years later, he was joined by several of his compatriots who, again with success, assured Cuban representation at the celebration of the lllrd Olympiad, in St Louis. Cuba s links with Olympism then ceased until 1923. In view of this, Coubertin and his collegues at the IOC called upon Porfirio Franca * who duly became the first IOC member in Cuba, a mandate he fulfilled until 1938. Under his influence, and that of Miguel Moenck *, a young architect with a passion for sport, Olympism began to assert itself in Cuba. 351
Successive presidents of the COV 1926-1930 : 1938-1939 : 1939-1941 : 1941-1946 : 1946-1954 : 1954-1955 : da. 1955-1958 : la. 1958-1960 : 1960-1963 : Since 1963 : Miguel Angel Moenck *. Miguel Angel Moenck *. Rafael de J. Iglesias. Ramon Fonst Segundo. Rafael de J. Iglesias. Roberto Fernández Miran- De. Narciso Camejo Estrel- Porfirio Franca Echarte 1. Rafael de J. Iglesias. Manuel Gonzalez Guerra *. 1900 - Paris: Ramón Fonst, the first Olympic champion from Cuba. Mr. Moenck * presided the COG from 1926 to 1930 and from 1938 to 1939. He became a member of the IOC in 1938 where he played an important role for he was elected to the Executive Board in 1953. The COC, in its present form, owes a great deal to such personalities as Manuel Gonzalez Guerra * who is its current president and who was elected an IOC member in 1973, Jorge Garcia Bango *, who is responsible for sports administration in Cuba and vice-president of the COC, and Fabio Ruiz Vinajeras *, an invaluable secretary general. Manuel González Guerra Jorge Garcia Bango IOC members in Cuba 1. Porfirio Franca y Alvarez de la Campa *, from 1923 to 1938. 2. Miguel A. Moenck *, from 1938 up to his death in 1969, member of the Executive Board from 1953 to 1957. 3. Manuel Gonzalez Guerra *, since 1973. 1 the son of the first IOC member in Cuba, Porfirio Franca y Alvarez de la Campa. * 352 Miguel A. Moenck Fabio Ruiz
CUBA AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES l Date of first participation : 1900. 1976 - Montreal: The Cuban delegation Cuban sport was, thanks to the fencer The first properly constituted Cuban Ramón Fonst, represented at the se- contingent was presented in 1948, in cond Olympic Games of the modern era, London. held in Paris. At St Louis (USA) a marathon runner, Felix Carvajal and the fencers, R. Fonst, M. de Diaz and A. V. Post made up the Cuban contingent for l Organisation of Games the celebration of the lllrd Olympiad. Cuba was not represented at the While Havana has never applied to Games of 1908, 1912, 1920 or 1924. In stage the Olympic Games, it should be Amsterdam, in 1928, the athlete Jose mentioned that, in 1930, the Cuban ca- Barrientos Schweyer defended Cuban pital hosted the second Central Americolours. can and Caribbean Games. 353
Representation of Cuba at the Olympic Games from 1896 to 1980 1 354
1 The figures in brackets represent the number of women included in the first figure. l Not included on the programme. x Sport included in the programme but in which no event was contested. 2 Demonstration sport. 355
The Cuban Olympic champions Titles obtained at the Olympic Games Name Christian name Sport Event Fonst Fonst Fonst Van Zo Post Diaz Diaz Fonst Van Zo Post Ramón Ramón Ramón Albertson Manuel Manuel Ramón Albertson Fencing Fencing Epée Foil Team foil Sabre Epée Single sticks Martinez Correa Stevenson Orlando Emilio Teofilo Boxing Bantamweight Welterweight Heavyweight Juantorena Juantorena Alberto Alberto Athletics 400 m 800 m Hernandez Herrera Stevenson Jorgei Angel Teofilo Boxing 48 kg 57 kg Open Rodriguez Hector Judo 63 kg l Other Olympic honours Apart from those champions appearing on our table of titles obtained at the Olympic Games, the following are worthy of mention : Carlos de Cárdenas and his son who, in their yacht Kurush II took second place in 1948 in the Star class event. Enrique Figuerola, currently director of timed sports at the National Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Recreational activities and an important figure in the Cuban Olympic movement, who was runner-up in 1964 in the 100 m sprint event, in a time of 10.2. In 1968, the athletes Miguelina Cobain (nicknamed the oriental gazelle ), Marlene Elejarde, Fulgencia Romay and Violeta Quesada took the silver medal in the women s 4 x 100 m relay in a time of 43.03. 356
1976 - A. Juantorena Year Birth Death Notes 1900 1883 1959 1904 1883 1959 1883 1959 1886 1883 1959 1866 1972 1944 1953 1952 1976 1976 1950 1950 1951 1952 1952 1976 1951 * The names in heavy print indicate that the champion in question will be mentioned again later on. * We would like to thank in advance all readers able to help us complete this table, and give us news of all the champions. 1976: Hector Rodriguez Again in 1968, the sprinters Hector Ramirez, Juan Morales, Pablo Montes and Enrique Figuerola finished second in the men s 4 x 100 m relay in a time of 38.03. The boxers, Enrique Regueiferos and Roland Garbey were both finalists in 1968. In 1972, the boxer Gilberto Carrillo finished second in the light middleweight event while Douglas Rodriguez was third in the flyweight event. The men s basketball team finished third in Munich in 1972. In 1976 in Montreal, Alejandro Casañas took the silver medal in the 110 m hurdles event. In boxing, in 1976, Ramón Duvalón, Andrès Aldama and Sixto Soria finished second in, respectively, the 51, 63.5 and 81 kg categories while Rolando Garbey and Luis Martinez came third in the 71 and 75 kg categories. Again in 1976, the men s volleyball team placed third. 357
PRESENT ORGANISATION OF THE COC l The constitution currently in force was adopted on 29th May 1975. l Composition The COC is made up of : The IOC member in Cuba. The representatives of those national sports federations affiliated to their corresponding International Federations. Delegates from each multi-sports association governing at least five clubs or universities which have, for a period of at least five years, permitted the practice of at least three sports which figure on the Olympic programme or on the programmes of regional games recognised by the IOC. Former presidents of the COC. l Meetings A general meeting is convened each year and the executive board holds an ordinary meeting every quarter. Elections are held every four years. l Present members board of the executive PT: Manuel Gonzalez Guerra *, VPT: Jorge Garcia-Bango Dirube *, SG : Fabio Ruiz Vinajeras *, Adm. S: Dr. Jose Ginori Turro ; Adm. VS: Teodoro Perez Martineaud ; T: Julio Bidopia Fuentes ; VT: Octavia Pérez Reboredo ; MS: Osvaldo Matías Flores y Mateos de Acosta, Mario Peláez Sosa, Alfredo Estevez Miró, Raul Villanueva Torres. l Financing of the COC The COC s funds are derived from : A subsidy allocated by the government from the national budget. Funds received by virtue of enactments or special provisions. l Federations affiliated to the IOC Affiliation to the IF Athletics 1928 Rowing 1948 Basketball 1937 Boxing 1954 Canoeing 1955 Cycling 1954 Equestrian 1952 Fencing 1933 Football 1929 Gymnastics 1948 Weightlifting 1947 Handball 1974 Hockey 1972 Judo 1952 Wrestling 1948 Swimming 1948 Modern Pentathlon 1955 Shooting 1952 Archery 1955 Volleyball 1953 Yachting 1930 and 20 federations governing sports which are not on the Olympic programme : Badminton, baseball, roller skating, softball, tennis, table tennis, hunting, underwater harpoon fishing, draughts, chess, real tennis, karate, motorcycle sports, orienteering, pentathlon, parachuting, sports fishing, sports for the disabled, sports for the deaf and sports tourism. 358
THE COC AND OLYMPISM l Olympic Awards l Olympic Day Olympic order Olympic Day has been celebrated on a number of occasions in different forms. One instance was to commemorate Coubertin s birthday, whereas other celebrations featured the organisation of special athletics events and gatherings during which the year s best athletes were presented. l Protection of the Olympic emblems A bill dealing with this question has been put before the government and is likely to be approved without difficulty. Roberto Leon Richars Aguiar l COC publications The COC has, since 1968, published the monthly review EI Deporte under the editorship of Mr. Jorge Garcia Bango *, the vice-president of the Cuban Olympic Committee. The gymnast Roberto Leon Richards Aguiar, who suffered a serious fracture while competing at the Olympic Games in 1976, was, one year later, awarded the bronze medal by the IOC Session convened in Prague in recognition of his courage, rare determination and exemplary career. This most famous of Cuban gymnasts was received into the Olympic Order, on the occasion of the Xlllth Central American and Caribbean Games, by Mr. Julio Gerlein Comelin, the IOC member in Colombia, who made the presentation in Medellin on behalf of the President of the IOC. l The International Olympic Academy There are plans to reward certain graduates from the Higher Institute of Physical Culture by sending them to the In- ternational Olympic Academy in order that they may widen their sporting and Olympic culture. 359
SPORT IN CUBA l Sport at school l Other sports governing bodies The National Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Recreational activities (INDER) is the governing body for national sport. The sports secretariat of the Cuban workers group is responsible for the organisation of sport at work. The sports section of the Ministry of Higher Education is responsible for university sport. The physical education section of the Ministry of Education is responsible for sport in schools (primary and secondary levels). The Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior are responsible for military and civilian sport respectively. l State aid for the sports movement The state subsidises all the various activities of the sports federations and of the COC in order to promote the development of national sport and to provide for Cuban representation at international level. Physical education is included on all study programmes from pre-school level right up to the second year on courses of higher education. At pre-school level, weekly physical education sessions form part of the curriculum at nursery school, while those children who are not enrolled in these institutions receive physical training by virtue of a programme known as Matrogimnasia. The duration of each session varies according to age, 8 to 10 minutes for 2 year olds, 12 to 15 minutes for 3 year olds, 15 to 20 minutes for 4 year olds, 20 to 25 minutes for 5 year olds and 30 minutes for 6 year olds. At primary schools, 3 weekly periods of 45 minutes are set aside for children on levels one to four and 2 weekly periods of 45 minutes for children on levels five and six. From level 5 onwards, the programme begins to introduce items that will be taught more fully later on. At middle school level, rural schools devote 45 minutes per week to physical education whereas in towns there are, depending on the term, 2 or 3 physical education periods per week. The overall sports programme is, however, essentially the same in both rural and urban areas. In higher education, the first years of all university programmes include two weekly periods of 50 minutes devoted to physical education and; more specifically, to sport on which greater emphasis is now laid. l Training of sports leaders At all levels, sports activities are also organised outside school or college The Higher Institute of Physical Culture hours in order to enable students to has, to date, awarded degrees in sport, build upon their basic grounding in physical education and recreational sports and physical activities. activities to 438 students. In addition, a total of 6,850 teachers have been trained by 7 regional physical education teacher training colleges. l Sports facilities By 1985, it is anticipated that there will 327 athletics tracks, be 4,611 teachers who have graduated 342 football pitches, from the National Institute and 14,848 228 baseball diamonds, teachers who qualified in provincial col- 219 swimming pools leges. 430 gymnasia etc. 360
l Sports which draw the biggest crowds Baseball, boxing, basketball, athletics, swimming, volleyball and chess. l Sports experiencing the greatest development in recent years Wrestling, judo, cycling, volleyball and boxing. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Manuel González Guerra President of the COC since 1964, IOC member since 1973, member of the Commission for Olympic Solidarity since 1975, president of AINBA (The International Association of Amateur Baseball) since 1975, first vice-president of the ODECABE since 1975 and a member of the PASO since 1979. Born in Havana on 25th April 1917, he embarked on studies in administration that led to a career within the Cuban national telephone company, which he now represents. Dynamic and versatile, he took part in his youth in many sports including boxing, athletics, baseball and rowing before becoming a devoted and influential sports leader. At present, he presides the Cuban athletics union and the national athletics federation and is vice-president of the Cuban amateur baseball and softball federations. Although he himself has not had the good fortune to take part in the Olympic Games, one of his two children, Manuel, a 23 year old architecture student, was a member of the Cuban fencing team at the Olympic Games held in Mexico City in 1968. Jorge Garcia Bango Vice-president of the COC since 1964, president of the National Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Recreational Activities (INDER) and of the national rowing federation. Born in Havana on 27th July 1934, he interrupted his studies in law in order to take part in the Cuban revolution. He played various sports during his youth (basketball, rowing, baseball, American football...) and continues to take part in basketball and tennis. A qualified physical education teacher, he wrote his thesis in this field. Since he became president of the INDER, in 1964, he has been present at all celebrations of the Olympic Games and other Pan-American and Central American Games in which Cuba has participated. His authority has been instrumental in the important growth of mass sport in Cuba and the exemplary success of Cuban athletes at international level. His dynamic character and jovial disposition have enabled him to maintain friendly relations with the international sporting community. Fabio Ruiz Vinajeras Secretary general of the COC since 1965 and first vice-president of the IND- ER since 1970. Born 7th August 1927. Studies in law. Qualified physical education teacher. A former president and current secretary of the national basketball federation. He has taken part in baseball, athletics, rowing and basketball. In the latter he represented Cuba in the Olympic Games of 1948 and 1952 (London and Helsinki). As a sports official, he has been present at all Olympic and Regional Games in which Cuban sport has been represented. Miguel A. Moenck IOC member from 1938 to his death in 1969, he was a member of the Executive Board from 1953 to 1957. Born in 1891, he was an architect by profession and taught at Havana University. A practising sportsman, he represented Cuba in various international basketball and athletics tournaments. In his capacity as sports official, he founded the Cuban amateur athletics union and served as secretary from 1920 to 1939. He presided the COC from 1926 to 1930 and from 1938 to 1939. He chaired the organising committee of the 2nd Central American and Caribbean Games and was a member of the sports committee for the first Pan-American Games. Porfirio Franca y Alvarez de la Campa IOC member in Cuba from 1923 to 1938. A highly respected figure, he was, at one time, head of a provisional government. In his capacity as banker, he was a director of the Banco Nacional de Cuba and of the Havana National City Bank. He took part in sport in his youth scoring numerous victories in tennis, baseball, fencing and athletics. He was a founder member of Vedado Tennis, the largest tennis club in Cuba. His sporting activity also involved him with the Cuban amateur athletics union, the amateur baseball league and the fencing federation. He implemented the ideas and suggestions of Count de Baillet-Latour, the then-president of the IOC, by participating in the creation of the Central American and Caribbean Games. 361