Cuban Triple Jumper Pichardo Brings Clear Message to Toronto

Triple jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo arrived in Toronto Saturday, July 18 with an optimistic message for the Cuban delegation at the XVII Pan American Games – he is looking to win, and with a strong performance to boot.

Pichardo confirmed as much minutes after arriving from Europe, where he has had a great season and is on the top of the Diamond League triple jump ranking and attracting a lot of media attention.

“I come with the expectation of winning with a good result, but I do not want to speak about particulars,” said the world champion, considered the favourite to clinch the gold.

The star considers the fact that many triple jump records have been set at the Pan American Games to be a motivator. These records include the performances of Cuban triple jumper Pedro Perez Dueña (17.40 metres in Calí 1971) and Brazilian Joao Carlos de Oliveira (17.89 metres in México 1975).

“These achievements help you to push yourself more and more in training and competition, and provide the inspiration to prepare well,” said the 22-year old.

Referring to his performances since January, which he finds are satisfactory, Pichardo took the opportunity to explain how events this year have added momentum to his career as a triple-jumper.

“My teacher and I have decided to focus on the speed of my initial sprint to the take off board, as I have been uncoordinated sometimes even with jumps over 15 metres. But this is of small concern – it is all part of the preparation to arrive at the World Championships in good shape,” he said.

“The idea is to gain centimetres and to coordinate the jumps better,” Pichardo added. He has already twice surpassed 18 metres -18.06 in Doha on May 15 and 18.08 28 in July in Havana.

Pichardo also spoke about his close rivalry with the U.S. London 2012 Olympics star Christian Taylor.  He has already outperformed the U.S. triple jumper twice this season.

“I thank the people who follow my career, especially Cubans, to whom I can only say my best is yet to come,” he said. He acknowledgied that he does not yet know all of his rivals at the Pan Am games in Toronto but praised his triple jumping compatriot Ernesto Revé.