Mireya Luis shares experiences with Mexican media
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 11, 2012 — Cuban legend Mireya Luis,
one of the best volleyball players of the twentieth century
shared her Olympic memories and new experiences with the local
media now as part of the NORCECA Confederation Board of
Administration.
She met with the media two days ahead of the start of the XI
Women’s Pan American Cup, a qualifier to the 2013 FIVB World
Grand Prix.
“I am so honored to be here now with new duties in the NORCECA
Confederation and to be part of this great sport celebration as
the Pan Am Cup,” said the former player who was part of the
“Morenas of the Caribbean” squad that captured three Olympic
gold medals.
The games of Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 had a
special place in the history of volleyball as well as in
Mireya’s heart.
“To be in three Olympic Games and also winning medals was
something extraordinary,” she remembered.
“The games of Barcelona were special, because it was my first
time at that stage. It was beautiful because I debuted between
1982 and 1983 with the national team, but I couldn’t play
because Cuba participated didn’t took part in 1984 nor 1988,”
Luis added.
However the wait was worth it as great moments were reserved in
her destiny.
The same experience was repeated in 2000, when it seemed that
Cuba was relinquishing the throne against Russia in the final
match.
“Many teams had a lot of chances to be champions at that time
and we faced the Russians in the finals and we were down by two
sets against them,” she recalled. “Everybody thought we would
lose but we did not quit. In the end we won the next three sets
and that sacrifice got its worth.”
“Sydney was my last chance to win another gold medal and 70
percent of the team members also were in Barcelona, so it was my
biggest thrill and the most treasured memory,” she said.
At the same time some members of the media asked about the
absence of Cuba in the Games of London 2012.
“After 40 years of participation in the Olympic Games is very
hard for us. The level of competition in other countries has
increased and it is more difficult to qualify. We feel sorry
about not being in London and I think Cuba will be missed,”
Mireya remarked.
She added the Cuban Federation is currently working very hard to
analyze the situation of volleyball in the country with a short
and medium term project that can contribute to return the teams
to the biggest stage.
“I am sure that effort and strategy will have big results and
will help to be back in the Olympic Games of 2016, because the
Cuban volleyball deserves it,” she concluded. |