The newspaper with the second largest circulation nationwide favored the two champs in Paris-2024 Olympics and Paralympics, respectively, also granting support to the Cuban Baseball5 team, which has been ratified as the best in the world in that specialty.

After twenty or so media outlets have sent their choices, Durand has accumulated eight ballots, twice as many as the Dominican runner Marileidy Paulino.

A three-time Paralympic champion in Paris, Durand retired after winning 11 titles at the Summer Games for disabled sports persons.

Trailing behind are Dominican (island) sprinter Thea LaFond and Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, both boasting two nominations, while Santa Lucia’s runner Julien Alfred, Guatemalan shooter Adriana Ruano and Salvadoran skater Ivonne Nóchez have one nomination each.

Among the men, the five-time Olympic champion Mijaín López, is on the course to winning the poll, as he accumulates 17 votes, against Salvadoran tennis player Marcelo Arévalo, benefitted with a single vote.

Unbeatable at the Olympics since Beijing 2008, when he won his first Olympic gold medal, Lopez also said goodbye to competitions in Paris.

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