ISW

Ok children. When you lose always lose with grace no matter how much you feel you were cheated.

I guess Angel Valodia Matos wasn’t in class when the teacher taught him some basic sportsmanship lessons. Following his disqualification in a bronze medal match in taekwondo and subsequently feeling aggrieved Matos did what any sane and classy individual would do - kick the referee in the face.

Feeling his compatriot was ’shamelessly robbed” Fidel Castro chimed in with his thoughts. “For our taekwondo athlete and his coach, our total solidarity.”

More blah, blah from Castro.

While different but not completely unrelated, this reminded me of Zinedine Zidane. After his violent headbutt explosion during the World Cup, many people attempted to justify his actions. And when given the chance to declare “mea culpa” for the benefit of soccer he gave a half-hearted apology that sent all the wrong signals.

Here was a chance for common sense and decency to prevail instead Cuba chose to take the low road.

These were a tough games for Cuba as they could not manage a gold medal in boxing or baseball - two sports Cuba has become legendary for. Obviously, some frustration played a role in the reaction but grace in defeat should always prevail.

Cuba finished with a respectable 24 medals and 2 gold medals in Beijing.