We are just not made up to be middle distance runners.

In Cuba we use our champions to promote the sport.

The most important part of this is to prepare the athlete for life in general and then be able to compete.

And then you have the responsibility and the duty of being good examples to youngsters, not smoke, training hard, go to bed early, don't drink alcohol, don't take drugs, it's very important to have a policy for educating against doping.

Be very strong... be very methodical in your life if you want to be a champion.

I got involved in athletics during physical education lessons at school.

I love music, and outside of work my family keeps me very busy, I have five children to keep track of.

I run in practically every single road race in my country, 5k, 10k just to promote the sport.

Then I received support from the Government to compete for my country, and to represent Cuba in competition.

We need to be aware of all aspects: To check how they travel, how they eat, the competition conditions.

We want to make sure our athletes have a future once their athletics careers are over.

We want to promote the great qualities of athletics - and maintain its integrity - all over the world.

I am always fighting inside the Council to get the message across that at each competition venue, we should send somebody to inspect and to make sure the athletes will be looked after in a correct manner.

If we carry on filling up the calendar, we keep on pushing the athlete, we shorten the athletes longevity. The risk is to shorten a career that could have lasted 10 years because the athlete is burnt out.

My main point in this regard was to compete for my country and my people and to receive the support of the entire Cuban society, to carry my flag in whatever competition I was in, the Olympic Games, Pan-American Games.

We do not use managers, we are the representatives of our athletes, and that is why I am deeply involved in athletics, I follow our athletes careers from start to finish, 100% all the way.