The Sun is barely rising on the horizon, and the members of the national rowing and canoeing teams are beginning the morning training session in the waters of “La Coronela Dam” in Caimito.            

Here is the secret behind the successes of rowers and canoeists, who contribute so much to the medal table in multi-sport events: the school of high-performance athletes, José Smith Comas, next to the reservoir. 

Along with the track of the same name, the center was built for the Pan-American Games in Havana'91. Omar Bringas, one of the architects in charge of executing the project, comments that this dam was chosen because it met the length and depth requirements necessary for this type of facility. 

"Then we started with all necessary infrastructures to host the event: gym, dormitories, boat rooms, dining room, goal tower ... It was hard work, but it lived up to the demands." 

“Today the institution has an enrollment of 94 athletes in both disciplines; there are more than a dozen graduates, and another group is studying higher education at the EPEF “Cerro Pelado”, says Denit Santana, coordinator of educational work. 

Others, the strongest 32, study pre-university in the same center. According to Lorenzo Rodríguez, teaching secretary, the boys attend classes until 1:30 p.m.; and in the afternoon they have training. Most of the faculties (15 teachers) teach the three grade programs.

Champions’ family. 

From the first days, a man has been regular on his premises: Ismael Carbonell, considered the best Cuban rower of all time, who premiered it in style. He came here for the Pan American Games and won four gold medals. Today he is one of the most beloved coaches. 

Carbonell trusts onhis boys’ quality and dedication. "At the end of the holidays, we tested them before the preparatory cycle. Today everything is going great." He is convinced the new and modern boats,recently acquired, will contribute to achieving more places in the pre-Olympic tournaments of the two disciplines. "We want to increase the number of qualifiers to Rio, we have four: Angel Fournier, Eduardo Rubio and Adrián Oquendo in rowing, and Yusmary Mengana in canoeing." 

Champions abound in these surroundings. Serguei Torres has been a student at the center since 2003, during this time he has won multiple medals in world events, world cups and continental games. Torres assures without fear of being wrong: “This school is the best I have seen in the world, although it can improve a lot. It has a very well thought-out structure; we are very privileged to be able to use it for our preparation”. 

The place seems to have an endless streak of gold. Another of the secrets of this paradise is revealed by the canoeist, Jorge García, multiple Pan American champion. "The relationship of managers and coaches with athletes is very good, that has been fundamental for the good results." 

Among so many established, a young man from Caimito-who has sport and talent in his genes- leads the way. Arnold Rodríguez, son of rower Arnaldo Rodríguez, continental multi-champion and Olympic finalist. 

Arnold trains hard before the Pre-Olympics.He got bronze at the C-1, 200 meters in Toronto 2015;it was the first step of his career. The progression of his marks, his new boat and the teachings of his father, put him close to Rio. "My dad is like another coach, he always has a moment to advise me, and he's also my role model." 

Females adorn the track with their beauty. Among them, Yariulvis Cobas stands out, who prepares herself carefully in search of a ticket to her second summer date. She highlights the special atmosphere that surrounds the entire place. “Here everyone, from cooks to maintenance, gets along very well; the athletes help each other, we have a very beautiful relationship that helps to overcome the distance from home”. 

The medals the academy athletes achieve do not fall from sky; they are the result of the effort of coaches and athletes, who spend most of the year awayfrom home. The distance separates them from their loved ones, but the school unites their entire group even more, and makes them a great family.