The triple jumper was born in Havana, earned a place on Cuba’s national sports and recreation programme, and came fourth for Cuba in Sydney in 2000. She then met and married her Scottish husband Andrew Dodds, moving to Limehouse, east London, with him in 2001. Disowned by the Cuban Government, she sought a British passport, but when it became clear one would not be forthcoming in time for the 2004 Olympics, she took up an offer from Sudan, coming fifth for the African nation in Athens.