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How a Cuban Émigré Became a Polish Volleyball God

TOKYO — There are roughly 11,000 athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, each with a story. Here is one of them, about the world’s greatest volleyball player.

He is an adopted son of Poland, born 28 years ago in Cuba. If that sounds curious, here is a hint about the explanation: The protests over the lack of food and other basic human needs that took place across Cuba last month also have a lot to do with the story of Wilfredo León, the latest and one of the greatest Cuban sporting exports, one more star athlete his nation has lost to the riches of modern sports.