Cuba Denounces Denial of Athlete Visas for World Youth Games

The Cuban Athletics Federation has denounced the refusal of U.S. visas to four members of the Caribbean delegation to attend the World Youth Championships, to be held in Eugene, Oregon, in the USA.

According to a note released on Wednesday, the United States Interests Section in Havana denied a visa to Liagmanis Povea and Andy Diaz (both triple jumpers), to Roger Valentine Iribarne (110m hurdles) and to Zurián Hechevarría (400 meter hurdles).

The note from the Federation added that although all applications were filed in compliance with the standards established, “the cases of José Bordon González (Technical Manager) and Alberto Juantorena Danger (President of the Cuban Federation and Member IAAF Council) remain pending, with no certainty of a positive response.”

“We consider that such a position violates both the facilities that must be guaranteed by countries committed to such events, and the demanding ideals of countries involved in world sporting events,” it added.

The Cuban Athletics Federation added that it had reported the situation to the International Federation, to its U.S. counterpart and to the local organizing committee, insisting that it will only participate at the event if visas are issued to all the members of its delegation.

Cuba has frequently denounced Washington’s denial of visas to athletes and sports officials who should have participated in events in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

In 2013, the athletics world champions Yipsi Moreno and Yargelis Savigne did not receive visas to compete in the Diamond League in Eugene, according to the Federation.