Cuba with Small Delegation to Youth Olympic Games

Cuba will assist with 13 representatives to the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, from August 17 to 27 August, announced Norge Marrero, director of the National Institute of Sports.

For the Asian fair, the island depends on the fighters and world youth champions youth Javier Ibáñez, in the 56 kg; and Yordan Hernandez (91), along with Alain Limonta (60) and swimmers Elisbeth Gámez, Hubert Del Rio and Luis Emilio Vega, Marrero said to the National Information Agency.

Judo of the Caribbean island will be defended by Yurisleidys Hernandez (52) and Ivan Felipe Silva (81) and canoeing by Ilianny Roman, Orlando Sotolongo and Hector Bauza (kayak).

In addition, Victor Manuel Herrera and Rosangel Saínz will compete in the triathlon and archery, respectively.

The Cuban triple jumper Lazaro Martinez, 16 years old and recently graduated junior world champion in Eugene, United States, with 17.13 meters mark, is notably absent from the Cuban team.

According to Marrero, Cuba waited up to the last minute for a wild card of the International Olympic Committee for Martinez’ participation in the event, but it was unsuccessful.

On the subject, the Cuban sports executive said that this case is no exception, because some of the 13 Cuban representatives obtained the ticket this way, in addition to their position in the world ranking in international events.

Thus, the small Cuban delegation will participate in seven of the 30 disciplines, so that the performance achieved in the previous edition in Singapore, China, in 2010, will be impossible to match.

At that time with 43 athletes, Cuba won a total of 9 titles, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, to finish in the fifth place by nations.