Colon’s
Legacy lifts Menendez to World Title
IAAF Correspondent
7
August 2001 – Edmonton - When women’s world javelin record holder Osleidys
Menendez won the World final to become the first Cuban to win this event in
World Championships history, she drew upon a fine tradition of Cuban throwing
which was pioneered by Maria Caridad Colon the 1980 Olympic champion. Colon was
followed by a number of other champions like 1985 World Student Games gold
medallist Ivonne Leal and more recently Isel Lopez who won the 1997 student
title and Menendez is the latest in the succession.
Though Menendez was only ten months old when Colon won the Olympic crown in Moscow’s giant Lenin Stadium in 1980, Colon’s pathfinding performance has been a major influence on Menendez’s career. Staggeringly the 21-year-old has already won two world junior titles, an Olympic bronze and now the senior world gold medal.
“Colon was not just an example for me as a great athlete but also to women in general. When she won the Olympics she was also young and so her win was a major influence on me. I have studied her technique (on film) to see what I can learn.”
Yet Colon’s celluloid experience has also been imparted directly to Menendez. “Yes, when I was a young girl, she (Colon) helped out at the training camps I attended and gave me some advise. I had tried many other events too and her comments helped me decide where my best talent really lay.”
Menendez was an outstanding junior, winning the world junior title in both 1996 and 1998. However, it is notoriously difficult especially in the throwing events where so much basic strength is needed, for junior athletes to make a smooth transition into the senior ranks. That’s why Colon’s career has been so important to Menendez.. Though there were no junior titles in those days, Colon was only 22 years old when she won in Moscow. It was this example which helped to convince 21 year old Menendez that a thrower could conquer the world at a young age.
After her Edmonton victory, Menendez was also eager to mention another important athletic influence on her career, that of world high jump record holder Javier Sotomayor. “Just like Sotomayor I come from Matanzas in Cuba and so I took great encouragement from his many winning performances, particularly as he was a local star. He is an example for all athletes in Cuba.”
Sotomayor is also competing in Edmonton but it is clear from the media attention devoted to Menendez at the post final press conference that he is no longer the only star from Matanzas.
Menendez has now taken over Colon’s mantle as a pathfinder for Cuban throwing, as with her throw of 71.54m on 1st July, she became the first Cuban javelin thrower to set a world record. No doubt back in Cuba there are many young athletes who will already have been inspired by the short career of Colon’s heir.
