Yaime Pérez
A dominant Cuban discus thrower who claimed world championship gold, then made a bold personal decision to defect and continue her career under a new flag.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Cuban discus thrower·Birthday: May 29·Millennials
Biography
Yaime Pérez emerged from Cuba's storied track and field system to become one of the premier discus throwers of her era. With a powerful build and technically sound spin, she announced herself on the global stage by winning the 2019 World Championships in Doha, a victory that cemented her as her country's next great throwing hope. She consistently challenged for medals at the highest level, earning World Championship bronze in 2022 and 2023, and stood as a perennial contender for Olympic podium. Her career, however, took a dramatic turn in 2022 when, while competing in Europe, she defected to the United States. This decision, fraught with personal and political complexity, was a gamble to secure a different future. It meant leaving behind the Cuban athletic system and beginning the process of establishing a new training base and life. The move underscored the immense personal sacrifices athletes often make in pursuit of both their sporting goals and personal freedoms, adding a profound layer to her athletic narrative.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Yaime was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Yaime Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Yaime's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal in the discus throw at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha.
- Earned bronze medals at the World Athletics Championships in both 2022 (Eugene) and 2023 (Budapest).
- Claimed the discus throw title at the 2018 and 2022 IAAF Continental Cup, representing the Americas.
Did You Know?
She originally trained as a javelin thrower before switching to the discus.
Her personal best throw of 69.39 meters, set in 2019, ranks her among the top 15 female discus throwers of all time.
She won three consecutive Pan American Games titles in the discus throw (2015, 2019, 2023).
“The discus is an art of power and geometry, and I am its student.”
