Estela Rodríguez
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Full name | Estela Virgen•Rodríguez Villanueva |
| Used name | Estela•Rodríguez |
| Born | 12 November 1967 in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba (CUB) |
| Died | 10 April 2022 in La Habana (Havana), Ciudad de La Habana (CUB) |
| Measurements | 186 cm / 135 kg |
| NOC |  Cuba |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 0 |
| Silver | 2 |
| Bronze | 0 |
| Total | 2 |
Biography
Estela Rodríguez was Cuba’s first world judo champion when she won the open event at the 1989 World Judo Championships in Belgrade. Two years later, Rodríguez won two gold medals at the 1991 Pan American Games in La Habana. She also won silver medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, at the Atlanta games, Rodríguez tested positive for the banned diuretic drug furosemide. The International Olympic Committee said it was not classed as a doping case, with Rodríguez allowed to keep her medal after being reprimanded. The Cuban delegation stated that she had taken a herbal remedy ahead of the Olympics, without knowing that it contained a banned substance.
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Summer Olympics | Judo | CUB |
Estela Rodríguez | |||
| Heavyweight, Women (Olympic) | 2 | Silver | ||||
| 1996 Summer Olympics | Judo | CUB |
Estela Rodríguez | |||
| Heavyweight, Women (Olympic) | 2 | Silver |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the Summer Pan American Games (2–1–1 1987 Indianapolis JUD silver: open class, bronze: heavyweight +72 kg; 1991 La Habana JUD gold: heavyweight +72 kg and open class)
- Listed in Doping Irregularities at the Olympics (1996 Atlanta – Unlimited Class (1). Furosemide (Lasix) (diuretic, masking agent). A reprimand was given but the medal was allowed to stand.)