‘Inspiring the performance of our athletes, Idalys Ortiz’s silver, Alba’s bronze and the patriotic cry of #PatriaOMuerte (Homeland and Death) by Julio Cesar la Cruz in #Tokyo2021,’ the president wrote on his Twitter account.
Diaz-Canel underlined the gallantry of the Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro 2016, who responded firmly to previous statements by the Cuban nationalized Spanish boxer Enmanuel Reyes and people who shouted against Cuba from the stands.
Before the fight, Reyes had predicted that he was going to ‘tear off heads’ and give himself a Patria y Vida (Homeland and Life), the title of a song used by enemies of the Cuban Revolution, if he won the fight for the heavyweight quarterfinals.
Reyes could not defeat the captain of the national boxing team, who defeated him 4-1 and had to hear the slogan of Homeland or Death, We will win! at the Kokugikan Arena at the end of the combat.
‘On the other side of the planet, 13 hours apart, many languages and provocations in between, how Cuban is the cry of #PatriaOMuerte. Of course we will win!’ Diaz-Canel stressed.
In addition, he revealed that he already spoke over the phone with all three athletes and confirmed Cuba’s pride in its athletes.
Translation By Gilda Gil
