Canoeist and three-time Central American and Caribbean Games champion Yarisleidis Cirilo, on behalf of the Cuban delegation, thanked the Cuban people for their support and confidence in the athletes’ performance.

“We return with hearts full of pride, because every step we took, every effort was inspired by this people who resist and overcome, despite all the difficulties and a cruel, genocidal blockade that aims to subdue us,” she said.

Cirilo emphasized that no fatigue could stop them, no obstacle could defeat them, and no rival could intimidate them because they had the support of the Cuban people and the tradition of years of struggle without ever giving up. Those present at the reception included Teresa Amarelle, general secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC); Ines Chapman, Cuban Vice Prime Minister; Meivis Estevez, general secretary of the Young Communist League (UJC); and Osvaldo Vento, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER).

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