Cuban Swimmer (1984) -- an Abusive Trainer-Athlete Relationship

You're papi's got everything under control, understand?"(Sanchez-Scott, 1984, p. 913) The proud young athlete who is mentored by a devoted coach is a common cliches in sports stories. "Hispanic-Americans use athletic skills to propel themselves into the mainstream of middle- class life in this country. It's a traditional theme. The basic plot was advanced long ago in such plays as Clifford Odets's 'Golden Boy,' and since then, in scores of films, books and movies, members of ethnic groups have moved out of the slums." (Mitgang, 1984) However, in the play "The Cuban Swimmer," such a conventions is turned on its head. The play highlights the potential abuses of the athlete and coach relationship by contrasting the young heroine's poetic and triumphant efforts with the crass desire of her trainer for media exposure. Her trainer is motivated by his own needs, not by...
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