In 1988, the now businessman set a new record with 2.43 meters and in 1993 he surpassed himself with a jump of 2 meters and 45 centimeters that remains unbeatable.
The Cuban Javier Sotomayor, the best high jumper in history, on Thursday night inaugurated a private business in his old home in the select Havana neighborhood of Miramar, Bar-Restaurant 2.45, in homage to his 1993 world record, still in force.
Surrounded by personalities of Cuban culture and sports, the “Prince of the heights”(54 years old) started what he conceives as a socio-cultural project.
In September, the Cuban government approved the creation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), broadening the spectrum for private work, which has been legalized since the 1990s.
According to the most recent official figures, 227 SMEs have been approved.
Eight years ago, the world record holder and Olympic champion opened a similar business, together with his first wife, the former jumper María del Carmen García, but it did not prosper and it lasted a short time.
Other sports celebrities on the island who have set up private businesses in recent years include the former vallista Dayron Robles, and the ex-volleyball players Mireya Luis and Raúl Diago.
“This time the reopening of the site does not only include the garden of the premises -as in 2013-, it extends throughout the entire premises, which will function as a bar and restaurant,” Sotomayor told AFP.
The cafeteria with fast food service was “baptized with the name of Salamanca, the Spanish city where I achieved two world records ”, in 1993 and 1988, he added.
They accompanied “el Soto” in the opening of 2.45 the actor Jorge Perugorría, the pianist Frank Fernandez, the popular musicians Samuel Formell, Elio Revé and César López, the olympic champion Anier Garcia (athlete in 110 meters hurdles) and the two-time world champion Ana Fidelia Quirót (400 and 800 meters).
In addition to being one of the most successful athletes in the world, Sotomayor has had a penchant for the business world, first as representative of musical groups, and then with a gym.
Sotomayor, in 1993 he surpassed himself with a jump of 2 meters 45 centimeters, which still valid, when its previous mark had been 2 meters and 43 centimeters. (D)
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