She was born in Havana and started practicing athletics at age 12, before moving to the Cuban introduction to sport school. She specializes in the 800m and took part in the Junior World Championships in 2002 before moving to Italy in 2007. Her best two-year period was 2011/2012, when she attracted international attention thanks to some good race times. After a very difficult period, in which she even thought about interrupting her athletics career, the birth of her son Abelardo and the arrival of an Italian passport prompted her to get back on track and run towards Rio. As a child she practiced dance, which continues to remain one of her favourite pastimes.