Cuba Mireya Luis reaches out with messages of hope

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 7, 2020 - A three-time Olympic gold medallist with Cuba, Mireya Luis has reached out through social media to send the world a message of hope and strength in these uncertain times.

"This is the time to take care of ourselves to save ourselves from this harassing and brutal reality that is the coronavirus pandemic. Moment of love, faith and hope," posted the 53-year-old who picked up top Olympic honours in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, in addition to a myriad of other distinctions in the course of two decades.

 
"We have the strength to overcome this surprising challenge together, and even more so to continue working for a better world," she added.

Speaking to the On Cuba news portal, Mireya Luis, an FIVB Executive Vice-President since 2018, called on everyone to follow guidelines:

"The FIVB and NORCECA call for people to stay home. We will have time to play again. The plan is to reschedule activities and events as conditions are reestablished."

Earlier, Luis had sent a special greeting to Olympians who are medical staff and carers: "Doctors, nurses, technicians, laboratory workers... My applause is not at nine, it is eternal and sustained applause. Thank you for giving yourself for us."

Mireya Luis was named by ESPN last week amongst the Top Ten sportswomen of all time.

Born before the era of social media, several of the Top Ten did not have the media exposure of the figures of the present, mentioned the sports network, adding that these are among the women who changed the history of sports.

Mireya Luis is listed alongside Serena Williams (Tennis), Yelena Isinbayeva (Athletics - Pole vault), Steffi Graf (Tennis), Simone Biles (Gymnastics), Diana Taurasi (Basketball), Nadia Comaneci (Gymnastics), Wilma Rudolph (Athletics - Sprint), Ronda Rousey (Judo, Wrestling) and Marta Vieira da Silva (Football).