At the base of the monument to National Hero José Martí, four-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Mijaín López, escorted by archer Hugo Franco and swimmer Andrea Becali, received the national flag from the hands of President Miguel Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, accompanied by other senior government and state leaders; the president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), Osvaldo Vento Montiller, and French Ambassador to Cuba Laurent Burin des Roziers were present at the ceremony.

The Olympic Games, which will begin on July 26, will be attended by 62 Cuban athletes who will compete in 16 sports.

In addition to Lopez, judo Idalys Ortiz, gold medalist in London 2012, who is currently in Europe, was designated to carry the national flag at the Games inauguration parade

Sprinter Omara Durand, winner of eight gold medals, and Tokyo 2020 champion Robiel Yankiel Sol, both world record holders, also received the Cuban flag from President Díaz-Canel to carry it at the opening parade of the Paralympic Games, which are schueduled to start on August 28.

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