Cuban javelin thrower defects

[Occasional Hope]

The CS women's javelin field is down one as World Junior bronze medallist Yiselena Balar Rojas defected on her way to Eugene. Presumably she will be seeking to change allegiance in due course.

Cuban javelin thrower defects before world championships | Raleigh News & Observer (newsobserver.com)

[trickstat]

I wonder whether she will opt to stay in Florida where there is something of a community of ex-Cubans, or people with Cuban ancestry, and I can see some colleges being interested. Although they aren't too bad at the moment, American women's javelin throwing tends not to be that strong so making teams may not be too tricky. On the other hand, she might want to go to a Spanish speaking country like Spain who have had quite a few ex-Cubans.

[MysteryBrick]

Although I'm sure Ursus wouldn't object to her coming to the UK...

[Grassmarket]

Italy another frequent port of call. She'll have to wait a few years to compete in international champs, though. The Cubans never waive the waiting period.

[Occasional Hope]

At least she has youth in her favour/time on her side.

[Occasional Hope]

Former world champion Yaime Perez also defects: Former world champion becomes third Cuban to abscond after Athletics Championships in the USA - MyJoyOnline.com

[oxfan]

Of course athletes goingissing would be the reason why visas were an issue (athough Cubans are probably OK, other countries would not be welcome)

[LuckySpikes]

What's the cause of all these Cuban defections and transfers of allegiance (e.g., of many of their good Triple Jumpers over the last few years) ?

Is it the political system, personal freedoms and/or the economy in Cuba or is it more to do with how they are treated by the Cuban athletics federation?

If we look at other individual sports that Cubans are good at, it might give us a clue ,,, In those sports do we see similar levels of defection or transfers of allegiance?

[Pierre Johansson]

Baseball is by far the biggest sport in Cuba:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_baseball_players_who_defected_from_Cuba

Boxing is up there, too, and this is merely the latest defection:

https://www.badlefthook.com/2022/6/20/23175939/lightweight-gold-medalist-andy-cruz-reportedly-defecting-cuba-boxing-news-2022

[Pierre Johansson]

The "political system" may have something to do with the behaviour of the "athletics federation", by the way. It's not like those things are separated in Communist hell holes. Also worth noting that almost every South American (and Dominican) medalist in the last few global championships, i.e. the WC and Olympics, are/were trained by Cubans, who in turn were "taught" their coaching methods by Eastern Bloc coaches who were sent to Cuba in the 1970s and 1980s. It's not a coincidence that Cuba has been a powerhouse in throwing events (at least the Cuban women) and Triple/Long Jump, for instance.

[Ladyloz]

This article suggests the defections aren't confined to Track & Field.

Yaimé Pérez: Cuban athlete defects after World Championships - BBC News