Takedown Report

Mijain Lopez on winning a fifth Olympic gold and life after wrestling: “It’s time to start a new chapter”

The Greco-Roman legend from Cuba reflects on his historic Paris 2024 farewell, staying connected to the sport, and why he’s at peace with retirement.
Mijaín López knew the Olympic Games Paris 2024 would be his final competition. The Greco-Roman wrestling legend from Cuba went out in style, capturing his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the French capital. It’s a feat no other wrestler has achieved.
After his triumph, López left his shoes on the mat – a silent gesture of passing the torch to the next generation in a sport he had dedicated his life to since he was just 10 years old. “It’s hard to say goodbye to sport, because you’re leaving your whole life behind,” López told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview during the International Athletes Forum in Lausanne. “I’ve been dedicated to wrestling since I was ten. My life was spent on the mat, with my coaches, away from my family… Retirement is tough for any athlete because it means starting a whole new life.”
That new life is already taking shape for the 41-year-old. If he thought he would rest on his laurels or enjoy some time off following Paris… well, he was wrong. “I thought I’d take some time to rest, but I haven’t really managed to. It’s been more like a continuation because I’ve been involved in a lot of activities, especially with young people,” explained López. “It’s given me the chance to give something back, the charisma I had in my sporting career. And honestly, I’m really happy doing what I’m doing.”
Now, he’s working as a sports ambassador, … more at … https://www.olympics.com/en/news/mijain-lopez-interview-fifth-olympic-gold-life-after-wrestling

August 8, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment