By Linda Kaucher
SYDNEY — Cuba's Olympic Committee announced Havana's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games on February 7, during its visit to Sydney. The delegation, headed by committee vice-president Angel Iglesias, came not just to check arrangements for its athletes in September, but also to research the bidding process.
"Although a lot of cities with a lot of resources will be bidding", Iglesias said, "there is no reason why a Third World country should not bid for the games, and many poor countries hold Cuba in high esteem".
The country is ready logistically to host the games, he said, and has already hosted some big international sporting events. The Cuban people are warm and hospitable, and would receive delegations very well.
Iglesias agreed that a Cuban Olympic Games would be a simpler, leaner, less expensive games.
The Cuban committee has good relations with the US Olympic committee, according to Iglesias, despite the United States government's attitude towards Cuba over the last 40 years.
In response to questions about the apparent positive drug testing of Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayer, Iglesias pointed out that the drug the high jumper is accused of taking, cocaine, is not a sports performance-enhancing drug. The incident is the result of a very well-resourced conspiracy to slur Cuban sport, he claimed. He said Sotomayer is presently training in Europe and has not been banned.
According to Iglesias, Cuban men are expecting to do well in Sydney in athletics, volleyball, wrestling and judo, while the women's volleyball, judo and athletic teams have high hopes. Cuba will be sending its very best baseball players "to put on a great show for Sydney", he said.