Future of Cuban Modern Pentathlon

Future of Cuban Modern Pentathlon

Cuban coach, Angel Payret Lopez, admits that Modern Pentathlon is not a popular sport in Cuba, but they are working hard to develop the sport in the country. With the recent success of Cuban athlete Leydi Laura Moya Lopez who won Gold at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, it seems their hard work is beginning to pay off.

“Our success in Singapore came from a long road that began from the Pan America’s then to the Beijing Olympic’s when Yaniel Velazquez (CUB) finished 15th.”

However, Cuba has not enjoyed the same level of success in Chengdu with none of the country’s athletes qualifying for the final. Lopez sites a number of reasons.

“The results have not been good here in Chengdu as we have had no opportunity to compete through the year. This is our first showing of senior athletes this year. We will only start to get the results that we imagine when our athletes can compete frequently at senior level. This is a problem we have due to budget. We also meet with visa issues with countries who do not agree to give visa’s to Cuba.”

Lopez explained that all funding for Modern Pentathlon in Cuba comes from the Olympic Committee which is then allocated by the Cuban Modern Pentathlon Association for everything from infrastructure to funding for competition travel.

Following Cuba’s achievement in Singapore, UIPM gave extra funding to the country to buy sports materials in an attempt to further connect the athletes to Modern Pentathlon and facilitate competing in the future. Lopez explains,

“The fruit of the support given by UIPM President Dr.Klaus Schormann is the wonderful result we got with Laura in Singapore. There is a big connection between the President and our medal in Singapore. I would really like to underline the support that has been given from UIPM.”

Lopez believes the future of Cuban Modern Pentathlon lies in the youth.

“Cuba would like to show to everyone our Modern Pentathlon in the future. We now have many kids practicing. It used to be restricted to Havana, but now you can see it all around the island. We have special projects promoting the sport to kids and the youth.”

Despite all the difficulties, Lopez says the results will come as a product of all the hard work of the UIPM and the coaches.

“We are really working with all our hearts.”