Modesty apart, it is unquestionable that without the contribution by the
Institute on Sports Medicine (IMD) and the cooperation of other
institutions to Cuban sports, the Caribbean island would not have been
able accomplish so many successes worldwide in this field.

It would suffice to mention Alberto Juantorena, Driulis Gonzalez, Felix Savon,
Mireya Luis, and many other sport figures that made their dreams come true
thanks to the levels of expertise accumulated by this institution that is
close to celebration the 45th anniversary of its foundation, on December 1.

Its doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, lab assistants, analysts,
technicians, biologists, and the rest of its staff somehow linked to
training of sportsmen have made their contribution to all the medals
assured by Cuban athletes.

The genesis of their work is related a sports that was born with the
Revolution, which always had a clear view as to its medical mission, not
only in the form of medical assistance.

A medical sports department was born in 1960, which gave a step forward
six years later, and then another one in the 1980’s when this institution
was spread throughout the country in provincial centers.

It continued developing through the years and became the focus of
attention in 2001, when Commander in Chief Fidel Castro inaugurated an
Anti-doping Lab, which soon gained prestige and rewarded the government’s
concern and the devotion of its staff.

“That’s why we can speak of the Cuban medical sport system” said the
director of IMD, Doctor Jorge Pavel Pino.

Pavel noted that Cuba’s main strength is the results it has achieved in
the training of human resources and the organization work that allows
making the most of it.”

“That’s the reason why we can take advantage of the available technology
and contribute with the positive results of the Cuban sports”, he affirmed
during an interview on the history, present situation, and perspectives of
that institute.

He also recalled that its first specialists graduated in 1970, in Europe;
while today there are more than 320, including foreign experts that
studied in Cuba.

“Already 120 specialists have a master’s degree on medical monitoring on
sports training, as a result of the work by IMD, which was credited 35
years ago as scientific and technical center”, Pavel mentioned.

He noted that they have retaken their national congress and announced that
the institution has arranged an international meeting with the
participations of experts from several nations from May 28 through June 1.

The director of IMD affirmed that this is an important step in their
efforts to enhance exchanges and update professionals of this field and
added that the promotion of the event was very well-received in the
context of the recently concluded Pan-American Games of Guadalajara, Mexico.

As to IMD’s missions and challenges, he explained that although the
competitiveness is the most outstanding sphere of their work, it is not
the only priority for its more than 1,200 workers nationwide.

“In addition to biomedical and psychological control, including
physioprophilaxis, this institution also contributes with improving the
health of the Cuban people”, he stated.