In the history of Cuban swimming, his name
is in the top of the list of our best swimmer of all times thanks
to the silver medal he obtained in the 100 meters back style
final during the Olympic Games held in Atlanta in 1996.
The gold medal went to the American Jeff Rousse in a very difficult
final. After the Havana triton arrived his comrade and teammate
Neisser Bent.
He was born on October 25th, 1972 and at the age of 8, he took
part in the first official competition. When he was 11 years
old came his first international event, but a strong influenza
frustrated his plans.
He integrated to the national team in 1987.
His curriculum vitae is full of victories like those achieved
in the Pan-american Games Havana'91 and Mar del Plata'95, the
Central American and Caribbean Games of Ponce'93 and Maracaibo'98,
the titles obtained in two world class events of short course
or the triumph during the World University Games held at Buffalo
in 1993.
He also assisted to the Olympic Games Barcelona'92 and ended
up in the seventh place in 100-meter final. Full of hope, he
wanted to have an outstanding performance in Sydney 8 years
after that, but did not even arrive to semi-finals. He started
to think then in his retirement, which took place in 2002.
This young man, 6'1'' tall and weighing 182 pounds, was once
nicknamed the "swimming lawyer" because he combined
his law studies with the practice of the demanding sport. Actually,
only after his retirement will he be able to devote all his
efforts to the profession that he came to love through an uncle
of his and which he will be able to exercise in the years to
come.