Robles over Liu Xiang in Shanghai (© Getty Images)
Dayron Robles returned to training on 22 October after a three-week holiday. With a fresh mind and recharged by a family and people's welcome, the 20-year-old has begun the final road to Beijing 2008.
Since his September diary, the CAC and Pan American Games champion already made his Chinese debut with a season ending win over China's World and Olympic champion and World record Liu Xiang in Shanghai.
Back to his hometown, Dayron returns to our readers for his IAAF Online Diary.
"Dear IAAF friends,
"Home, sweet home! It feels great to be back home and enjoy some rest with my family and close friends. Since my last diary, I ended my season very well in Shanghai.
Apart from the win, I was happy to visit China for the first time. I went out after the Golden Grand Prix and was greeted by many fans who asked to sign autographs.
"Shanghai is a huge city and thanks to my two good friends and journalists, I am learning my first words in Mandarin like hello and thanks. I also tried the food and I liked it. This is definitely a good training for Beijing 2008!
"Upon my return to Cuba, on 30 September, I and some members of the Osaka team met with the Cuban Minister of Sports Christian Jimenez and we reviewed our season and our plans for 2008.
"After a few days in Havana I flew to our hometown in Guantanamo with my friend (2007 IAAF Triple Jump World champion) Yargelis Savigne.
"We were greeted at the airport by the top government and sports officials of the province and our 10-day stay there was very busy.
"My mom and I were so happy to be together. I stayed in her new house and enjoyed this unmatched family atmosphere.
"Almost every person I met asked me about my fourth place finish in Osaka. This is the race they saw, not Stuttgart, where I improved the Central American and Caribbean 110m Hurdles record to 12.92 to win the 5th IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final.
"I liked to interact with the people and feel their encouragement. Yargelis and I toured some of the most important places of the provinces like factories, industries and even a prison, where the inmates gave us a lot of support for the Olympics.
"I almost had no time to rest with so many friends and relatives visiting. I could not even find the time to visit the EIDE School where I was formed as a sprint hurdler.
"Later, my girlfriend - also an athlete - and I went on a tour in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba's second largest city, some 80km west of Guantanamo, and enjoyed the beach in Varadero and Havana. We were even away from my family and these moments of peace were well welcomed.
"Back in Havana, I resumed training on 22 October, for an adaptation week before we started the conditioning period on 29 October.
"My friends (2000 Olympic champion) Anier Garcia, Yoel Hernandez, Anay Tejeda and a good number of young prospects are also in the team, under our coach Santiago Antunez' guidance.
"This is a long road to the Olympics in Beijing. I look forward to my Olympic debut and the 110m Hurdles will be one of the most followed races in the Games with Liu Xiang defending his title in front of his own crowd.
"I take things step by step. We have the World Indoor Championships in Valencia first and that event will help us assess how our training is going for the Olympics.
"I was a surprising second in Moscow 2006 and I hope to arrive in Valencia in top form.
"That's all for now. When I write again to you at the end of November, I will already be 21. Thanks for your support and let's stay in touch.
"Nos vemos (See you)."
Dayron
Click here to read Dayron's previous diary
