EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 40 MIN
3. The Many Flags of Alberto Mercado
from La Brega: Campeones
It was 1980, and the Olympics were to be held in Moscow against the backdrop of the Cold War. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter called for a boycott of the games, leaving Puerto Rican athletes uncertain of their participation. But Alberto Mercado and two other young Puerto Rican boxers were determined to represent Puerto Rico. This is a story about fighting for visibility on the global stage, and the heartbreak and triumph that athletes experience outside of the ring when politics and sports mix. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on La Brega and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
It was 1980, and the Olympics were to be held in Moscow against the backdrop of the Cold War. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter called for a boycott of the games, leaving Puerto Rican athletes uncertain of their participation. But Alberto Mercado and two other young Puerto Rican boxers were determined to represent Puerto Rico. This is a story about fighting for visibility on the global stage, and the heartbreak and triumph that athletes experience outside of the ring when politics and sports mix. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on La Brega and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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3. The Many Flags of Alberto Mercado
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