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Pan Am Notebook

Weightlifter Barnett to carry flag in closing ceremony

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Posted: Saturday August 07, 1999 06:35 PM

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- It was a big day for weightlifter Wes Barnett.

Barnett, of St. Joseph, Mo., won a bronze medal, his third Pan American Games medal, on Saturday. And he was selected the flag bearer for the U.S. team at the closing ceremony.

Barnett, 29, earned the bronze medal in the 105-kilogram division after winning a gold medal in the 1995 Pan Ams. He added another bronze by lifting 380 kilos (838 pounds) this year.

At the 1991 games, Barnett was a last-minute addition to the team and captured the silver medal. He is the only member of the U.S. weightlifting team competing in his third Pan Ams.

Barnett is a six-time national champion, two-time Olympian, two-time world championships medalist and currently holds two American records.

Just as impressive as his athletic accomplishments are the challenges he has faced. Barnett has learned to live with treatment for a cancerous tumor found in his eye in 1998. He also attempts to overcome the stereotype of drug use in his sport by speaking to youth groups to emphasize drug-free training.

Sunday's flag bearer was chosen by the captains of the various U.S. sports.

Hot time in the pool

A small fire in a basement lounge delayed the start of the swimming preliminaries Saturday.

Alarm warnings were sounded just before the start of the scheduled competition and the pool building was evacuated. A few minutes later, everyone was allowed to return and the program began 15 minutes late.

Super Swordsmen

Not everything involving Cuba in these games is political.

U.S. fencers saluted the Cubans after losing to them in the finals of the men's team foil. American Cliff Bayer said the Cubans are an inspiration because of the way they train and compete.

"We've had a lot of training sessions with them," Bayer said. "They're role models. They're role models for me, they're role models for the rest of the national team. They train nonstop with heart and soul and they're the people that we should try to imitate.

"Because they're people that fence with their technique and most importantly, they fence with their heart and that's what gets the win."

Cuba beat the U.S. men without its top competitor, Elvis Gil Gregory, who's ranked No. 3 in the world. Gregory injured a knee while winning the individual foils earlier.

"They're truly great sports people," said George Kolombatovich, the U.S. team leader. "They're tough competitively. They're respected throughout the world."

Car collection

When Brazil's Bernardo Alves gets ready to drive to the equestrian ring, he has to make a tough decision: Which car does he take?

Cars are awarded as prizes for championships in Brazil. With victory after victory in the show ring, Alves, 24, has amassed a collection of 18 vehicles.

"Now he's a car dealer," teammate Andre Johannpeter said.

Foreign aid

Swimmer Melissa Mata's participation in the 200-meter butterfly on Saturday had been in doubt -- until volunteer Joan Mayhew stepped in.

Mata, Costa Rica's only female swimmer in the games, had her sports bag stolen at the athletes village. Mayhew learned of the theft Friday while driving Mata to the dentist, so she began working the phones.

Within hours, local businesses had outfitted Mata with a new swimsuit, goggles, a cap, a sports bag, a wind suit and a sweatsuit. Mayhew also gave Mata $100 (US$67).

Mata finished fifth in her heat and did not qualify for the finals. But at least she got to swim.

"I'm really proud to have these kinds of volunteers working for me," said Brad Sciback, Mayhew's supervisor.

Family affair

It should come as no surprise that the Sebelen family makes up three-fourths of the Dominican Republic's bowling team.

As the owners of the only bowling center in their country, the Sebelens -- father Rolando and sons Rolly and Rolando Antonio -- get a lot of free practice time.

Papa Sebelen, 59, is a former world champion and has rolled four 300 games in his career. Rolando Antonio, 31, also has four perfect games.

"He's a very competitive athlete," Rolly, 35, said of his father. "He pushes us because he always does his best."

A fourth family member, 25-year-old Rolando Rafael, will join the others at the world championships in the United Arab Emirates.

"God gave me a chance to bowl with my boys," Papa said. "We have to make the most of these chances."

 

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