Emalee Nelson, University of Texas at Austin, USA:
International competition has been the most common venue for athletes from countries like Cuba to stage their best attempt at a getaway from their home country. Oftentimes, this is the case for many athletes who may only receive approval and an exit visa for sport related reasons. This paper provides a brief history of the defections of Cuban athletes, the United States and Cuba’s complicated relationship with defected athletes, and the legal and diplomatic consequences of these athletes’ actions.