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• 06 / 02 / 2007

Cuba is maintaining its confidence over the challenge of finishing in second place on the medals table at the Pan-American Games in Rio, affirmed Christian Jiménez, president of the Cuban Sports Institute.

Jiménez rejected the notion that there was concern over the islands second place finish behind Venezuela at the recent Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) Games."The ALBA Games served as a competitive model for our athletes but we did not take part in exhibition sports," explained the official."We are not going to disappoint the people.

We are going to fight, win and demonstrate that we can do it," confirmed Jiménez, referring to the possibility of obtaining second place.
The official stated that Cuba is to participate in Rio, represented by some 550 athletes who will take part in 29 of the 33 disciplines covered.

"The rivalry will be much stronger than four years ago but we are preparing ourselves for that," confirmed Jiménez.

Cuba has finished in second place in the Continental Games since 1971, only overtaken by the United States.

In 2003, the U.S. led the medal table with 116 gold medals ahead of the island with 72. They were followed by Canada with 29 and Brazil, 28.

According to Jiménez, Cubas trump cards are to be found in the combat sports: boxing, karate, judo, wrestling and tae kwondo. He also mentioned track and field, cycling, weight-lifting and team sports such as baseball and volleyball.

Source: Granma Internacional