TEENAGE Olympics hopeful Alegna Osorio Mayari has died after being hit in the head by a hammer in a shockingly tragic training accident.
The 19-year-old was struck by the hammer at a track and field stadium in Cuba back in April.
And after going into coma, it has now been confirmed that she passed away on Tuesday as a result of her horrific head injuries.
“We share this unbearable pain with her family,” said Osvaldo Vento, the president of Cuba’s national sports institute.
Team USA hammer thrower Gwen Berry also sent her condolences to Mayari’s family.
She said: “Wow. Sending love to her family during this time. This is so sad.”
And a Cuban sports director, Reynaldo Varona Martínez, added: “Cuban athletics are in mourning. After an accident during training and a tough battle for her life, athlete Alegna Osorio passed away.
“Our condolences reach out to family, friends and colleagues and that of the Provincial Sports Directorate in Camagüey.
“From Deporcuba we send the most sincere message of support to his family, friends and the great family of Cuban athletics in this difficult hour. Rest in Peace, Lots of light for your soul.”
Mayari won the bronze medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in the girls’ hammer throw event.
And she also picked up another bronze in the Pan-American under-20 championships two years ago.
Cuban media outlet Noticias Cuba have described her as being one of the country’s ‘young promises of athletics’.
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