Cuban Olympic Champ Roniel Iglesias Punished for “Indiscipline”
HAVANA TIMES – Cuban boxer Roniel Iglesias (69 kilograms), the London 2012 Olympic champion, was given a year’s separation from the Cuban national squad “because of indiscipline committed”, reported Prensa Latina.
The Cuban Boxing Federation (FCB) did not specify the” indiscipline” committed by the boxer, saying that the athlete will maintain training in Pinar del Rio, his home province, unable to compete internationally.
As a result of the punishment, Iglesia’s slot on the Cuban boxing team will be taken by Luis Oliva, Cuban runner-up in 60 kilos and a participant in the last World Youth Cup. Iglesias will have the opportunity to join the national team “depending on his good behavior,” said FCB president.
Many times this type of sanction is given to athletes suspected of wanting to leave the island in search of professional sports. However, it is not known if this was the case with Iglesias.
Who is willing to bet against me that the next time we read about this talented young boxer in this space it will be because he is in Miami and pursuing a professional career? It has been said that cockroaches would likely survive a nuclear holocaust because they are willing and able to sustain themselves by eating their young. I think that list should be expanded to include the Cuban Revolution as well.