Mireya Luis

Mireya Luis
Alejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández, often referred to as Mireya (born 25 August 1967, in Camagüey), is a retired Cuban volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist. She won gold medals at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics with the Cuban women's national volleyball team. She was the captain of the Cuban team from 1985 until her retirement.
In 2004, Mireya was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Career
Pan American Games
At the age of 10, Mireya started playing volleyball. At 16, Mireya joined the Cuban national team for the 1983 Pan American Games, winning first place. She competed in the 1987 Pan American Games, again helping Cuba win the tournament. She won additional gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995.
World Cups and World Championships
In 1989, Mireya won her first FIVB World Cup gold medal with Cuba, which she would repeat in 1991 and 1995. Mireya also led Cuba to FIVB World Championship gold medals in 1994 and 1998.
Olympic Games
After a brief hiatus due to a knee injury that required surgery in 1990, Mireya resumed play and became a dominant force on the team. Mireya won her first Olympic gold medal in 1992 in Barcelona. She would win her second Olympic gold medal with the Cuban national team in 1996 in Atlanta. Mireya achieved her third Olympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney, and soon after retired in 2001.
Mireya's vertical jump
Mireya was known for her spectacular jumping power, reaching 3.39 meters (11'1"), more than any other player, though being only 1.75 meters (5'9") tall. She earned numerous "best scorer", "best spiker", and "best player" awards at various international championships.
FIVB
In 2018, Mireya was unanimously elected to the position of executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Personal life
Mireya has a daughter, Idanaisi, and a grandson, Darío.
Individual awards
1989 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Most Valuable Player"
1989 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Spiker"
1991 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Attacker"
1991 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Spirit of Fight"
1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship "Best Spiker"
1993 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix "Most Valuable Player"
1995 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Most Valuable Player"
1995 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Spiker"
References
External links
International Volleyball Hall of Fame Profile
Alejandrina Luis at Olympics.com
Olympedia Profile: Mireya Luis
1967 births
Living people
Cuban women's volleyball players
Volleyball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Volleyball players at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Volleyball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Olympic volleyball players for Cuba
Olympic gold medalists for Cuba
Sportspeople from Camagüey
Olympic medalists in volleyball
Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Wing spikers
Central American and Caribbean Games medalists in volleyball
Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalists for Cuba
Competitors at the 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games
Pan American Games medalists in volleyball
Pan American Games gold medalists for Cuba
Pan American Games silver medalists for Cuba
Medalists at the 1983 Pan American Games
Medalists at the 1987 Pan American Games
Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games
Medalists at the 1995 Pan American Games
Medalists at the 1999 Pan American Games