Tuckahoe NY Pride

Yulimar Rojas is Venezuela’s standout track-and-field star and one of the greatest triple jumpers in history. Raised in Anzoátegui, she combined explosive speed with precise technique, later training in Spain under coach Iván Pedroso. Rojas won Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020, leaping 15.67 m to set an Olympic record, and she has captured multiple World Championship titles. In 2022 she broke the world record with 15.74 m indoors, expanding the event’s limits. Beyond medals, she is a symbol of resilience and national pride, inspiring Venezuelan athletes worldwide. She also competes in long jump and speaks about confidence, and giving back. Rojas is openly lesbian, and she is an LGBT+ activist in her home country.

Quote: “Little by little, I have achieved my dreams. Little by little, I’ve accomplished my goals. You can achieve anything. There is nothing you can’t accomplish if you push for it.”

Photo credit Stephen Pond