Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, inaugurates the city's court in the sports city, with the area donated by Panam Sports.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach attended the inauguration this afternoon at the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum of a multi-purpose court, donated by panam sports to contribute to the development of the sport in Cuba.

The initiative is part of the activities planned during Bach's brief visit to our country, which began on March 2 and runs through this Friday.

Bach was accompanied at the ribbon cutting by the head of the Pan American Sports Organization

, Neven Ilit, who expressed words of praise for Cuba.

Regarding the multipurpose surface, he commented that the idea arose as a result of a visit after the ravages of Hurricane Ian in Western Cuba.

“Roberto León Richards and Ruperto Herrera asked us for help and we responded.

We are happy to be able to do it. And we hope that all Cubans can enjoy this little table”.

The manager of Chilean origin, announced that Santiago de Chile will give a special welcome to Cuba in the Pan American Games.

“We are a very warm country, we love Cubans very much, for their sporting quality, Caribbean rhythm.

In Santiago, we will wait for you with open arms and we will try to organize a great event”.

The president of the Cuban Federation and national basketball commissioner Dalia Henry, highlighted the importance of donations for Cuba.

.

It is a sample of what sacrifice and will can achieve in our continent, supported by

"We reaffirm our commitment to translate your facilities into great events and joy for our athletes."

After the inauguration, a varied exhibition flooded the capital's Coliseum that included demonstrations of boxing, basketball, wrestling, karate, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, martial arts, traditional dances, aerobics and the iconic Guantanamera.

Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, during his visit to the sports city of Havana.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

IOC President Thomas Bach with Olympic boxing champions Julio Cesar La Cruz and Arlen López.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate.

An emotional moment came when boxers Arlen López and Julio César La Cruz presented gloves signed by them to Thomas Bach

.

Eduardo Jons, a member of the world fencing hall of fame, gave Bach a fencing jacket, while the four-time Olympic champion Mijaín López gave the IOC holder one of his training kits, also bearing his signature.

The occasion was propitious for Bach to exchange with sports glories such as Sibelis Veranes and María Caridad Colón, as well as the canoeists Yerisleydis Cirilo and Serguey Torres and the wrestler Milaymis Potrillé, whom he wished success in Paris 2024.

In addition, he spoke with young gymnasts, whom he urged to attend the 2028 Olympic Games.

Osvaldo Vento Montiller and Roberto León Richards, head of Inder and the International Olympic Committee, respectively, attended the inauguration.

Bach arrived in Cuba this afternoon for a brief visit to Cuba, accompanied by a delegation in which the presence of the president of Panam Sport stands out.

On the morning of this Friday, he will offer statements to the press at the Pan-American stadium, after inaugurating the new synthetic track at said facility.

The four-time Olympic champion, Mijaín López, presents a present to Thomas Bach, President of the IOC.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

They present a present to Thomas Bach, President of the IOC.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, during his visit to the sports city of Havana.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

City court, the sports city, with the area donated by Panam Sports.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate

Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, during his visit to the sports city of Havana.

Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate.