Danell Leyva is probably the most desired and controversial Olympic gymnast right now. From his looks to his naughtiness, his photos are circulating all over the internet and more people, even non Olympic fans that he is one hot Cuban-American.
From living a quiet life, Danell is now a public figure and journalists from all over the world visit his home gym, most especially after taking the Bronze at the London Olympics overall male competition in artistic gymnastics.
Gymnastics means everything to the Leyva's. Danell's mother, Maria Gonzales and his stepfather Yin Alvarez, were both gymnasts and met in Cuba in the national team. Yin, left Cuba and swam across the Rio Grande in search of a better life. With just his clothes in a plastic bag and the dream of opening his own gym.
Mary too left Cuba with hopes of giving Danell a better life, who as a kid had asthma and Mary was afraid Danell might not be strong enough to fight the conditions of the island.
"It was the way my parents pay for all the sacrifices they made and they do for me." says Danell.
Danell and his family is again another concrete example that dreams do come true and that no matter what the odds are, we MUST fight.
Read the complete story at Lifestyle Miami
Photography by: George Riveron
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