On his Twitter account, the Cuban head of State noted that the former athlete is the man who has been closest to heaven with his own feet.

Three decades ago today, he jumped 2.45 meters in Salamanca, Spain. No one has been able to match it, the president recalled in his message.

Javier Sotomayor Sanabria is considered the best high jumper in history.

During his sports career, he won an Olympic title, two world championships, four gold medals in indoors track and field competitions, and three Pan-American titles, among others.

He set his first record at the age of 16.

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