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'We will react'

Cuba calls for tightened security at Pan Am Games

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Posted: Monday August 02, 1999 04:48 PM

Cuba's Javier Mendez punches a protester during a Pan Am baseball semifinal game against Canada. AP

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- Cuba insisted Monday that organizers tighten security at the Pan American Games, denouncing officials for failing to stop a demonstrator from disrupting their semifinal baseball game against Canada.

Cuba's protests have grown more virulent in past days, with delegation officials insisting that athletes are being encouraged to defect. The delegation's statement followed reports that 19-year-old baseball pitcher Danys Baez had sought asylum in Canada.

Sports agent Joe Cubas, who has been involved in the defections of many Cuban ballplayers, said in a press release Monday that Baez left the team Sunday night after it beat Canada 3-2 in the Pan American Games.

Baez's defection would bring to eight the number of Cubans to leave that nation's delegation to the Games.

His departure followed three other defections earlier Sunday.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials confirmed Sunday that an athlete had sought asylum and was turned over to immigration authorities. Sources close to the Cuban team, on the condition they not be identified, said the athlete was 400-meter relay runner Michl Ortiz.

The sources also said two more Cubans, a soccer goalkeeper and an artistic gymnast, had left the team this weekend and were expected to ask for asylum.

Canadian immigration officials could not be reached for comment on the departure of the baseball player, the artistic gymnast and the soccer goalie.

Though Cuba never comments on defections, the delegation quickly expressed its frustration over a spectator who rushed to the field carrying a sign saying "uman Right First."He was chased by two Cuban players who came out of the dugout, and was tackled by Cuba second baseman Juan Padilla. Security then escorted him out of the stadium.

"Cuban athletes will not permit anyone or anything to humiliate them ... if their dignity is at stake," the statement said. "From now on we will react with full energy to provocations."

Pan Ams officials declined to specifically address any changes in security measures, but insisted they would be sensitive to the concerns of the Cubans.

"If there are any outstanding issues, they will be fixed," said Brian Koshul, press secretary for the Games.

In a separate incident involving the Cubans, four members of the delegation were involved in a fight Sunday night with the protester who disrupted the game, police and witnesses said.

The incident occurred outside the offices of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Acting Duty Inspector Paul Ingram of the Winnipeg City Police.

In a release Monday morning, the police said the protester was speaking to someone outside the CBC offices when the Cubans noticed him and "became involved in a dispute. Prior to police arriving there was a physical confrontation between those parties that was brought under control immediately."

No charges were filed, but the protestor, who police said gave a Miami address, was detained by immigration authorities and was in custody.

Despite the distractions, the Cubans still made the Olympics in baseball by defeating Canada. That avenged an 8-1 drubbing at the hands of the host team in pool play.

After Luis Lazo got the final two outs, the Cubans swarmed their hefty relief pitcher and several players ran around waving their flag.

The Cubans did not comment after the game, but their actions made it clear how relieved they were to qualify for the gold medal game -- and for Sydney.

The United States, meanwhile, edged Mexico 2-1 in 10 innings, assuring the Americans a spot in the gold medal game. The Americans beat the world champion Cubans in the opening round.

Cuba was to try for its eighth straight Pan Ams baseball title Monday night against the United States.

Besides all the developments involving the Cubans, the Pan Am Games and the host nation tried to recover from its first doping incident. It was announced Sunday that Canadian roller hockey goaltender Steve Vezina had tested positive for two stimulants and abnormally large amount of the anabolic steriod Nandrolone.

The test disqualified the Canadian team and Pan Ams officials stripped them of the gold medal, awarding it to the losing finalists, the United States.

Recovery seemed a bit more difficult Sunday night when the Canadian Broadcast Corporation reported that Juana Rosario, the gold medalist in the women's high jump from the Dominican Republic, failed the first portion of her post-competition doping test after her event Wednesday.

Her second sample, the so-called "B-sample," must now be tested.

Almost lost in all the doping and defection news were the Games themselves.

In the only gold medal awarded Sunday, Brazil outlasted pre-tournament favorite Cuba in a thrilling gold medal match in volleyball, winning 20-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-22, 15-13.

The United States beat the Dominican Republic in three sets for the bronze.

 

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