"Unbearable pain": Olympic hopeful dies after training accident
Olympics hopeful Alegna Osorio Mayari has died aged 19 after being hit in the head by a hammer in a tragic training accident.
The teenage athlete was struck by a hammer at a track and field stadium in Cuba in April.
After going into a coma as a result of her severe head injuries, it has been confirmed that she passed away on Tuesday.
“We share this unbearable pain with her family,” said Osvaldo Vento, the president of Cuba’s national sports institute.
“Cuban athletes are in mourning. After an accident during training and a tough battle for her life, athlete Alegna Osorio passed away,” said Reynaldo Varona Martinez, a Cuban sports director.
“From Deporcuba we send the most sincere message of support to [her] family, friends and the great family of Cuban athletics in this difficult hour.
“Rest in Peace, Lots of light for your soul.”
Team USA hammer thrower Gwen Berry also shared her condolences with Mayari’s family.
“Wow. Sending love to her family during this time. This is so sad,” she said.
Mayari won bronze at both the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics and the 2019 Pan-American under-20 championships.
Cuban media outlet Noticias Cuba have described Mayari as one of the country’s “young promises of athletics”.
Image: Osoldo Vento / Twitter