CAMAGÜEY.- Jorge Almanza and Carmen Blanco have not had the pleasure of cooking for their daughter for six months and enjoying the after-dinner together at home. Since last December, when the national athletics preselection met to train, the stellar runner Rose Mary Almanza has not sat at the foot of the sidewalk of Pobre Street, in this city, to watch the people go by and laugh with the neighbors.
This Monday afternoon, Carmen began to decorate the gate at the entrance of her home with just over two dozen medals and trophies that her daughter has won on tracks around the world, something that "is now common every time a big event is approaching. "
The last ones that she places, with great care, are the three golden ones of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla 2018. Just a hand to the left, today they placed the sticker that identifies theirs, as the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Family. "There is almost no room for another label, "said a relative when he saw the new one along with others from multiple events that mark the happy journey of Rose Mary with the tricolor delegation.
This is the third time in this block that they prepare their throats to shout under the five rings, because in London 2012, when they reached the semifinals, and in Rio de Janeiro, when they finished 26th in the 800-meter dash, everyone "ran " with her.
Almost never "The Queen" is present when her people and the sports, government authorities and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution meet to perform the ritual and this time it was no different, although she could immediately see photos of the moment from Guatemala, where she is in a preparation base.
"Between one thing and another, she will not be coming for almost a year, it is the longest time she has been away," her father told Adelante. Jorge knows about sacrifices and dedication, but he can't hide the desire to give her a hug before the competition. "I'll see her after the Olympics, although every day we talk and we keep up to date ".
Her mother does not like so much distance either, but she knows that it is all due to a dream that until now has been unattainable. "She has worked really hard to get to Tokyo and sneak into the finals. What they achieved in the World Relay World Cup is good news, but they know that they cannot be trusted. Something tells me that the third time is the charm. "
That is the expectation of her relatives, her friends and the people of Camagüey who follow the sport and the race of which she will undoubtedly be the best runner in the history of the province. The crown of the world in the 4X400 meters and the excellent marks that she has achieved this season in the 800 meters indicate that she has a chance of being in the top eight in both events, but for that she must compete with precision. Quality and desire for her are not lacking, much less support, that was clear today in her hometown.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez