RHC Olympic Update no.14 - 30 Sept 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Olympics Update no.14 - 30 September 2000 NO DOUBT ABOUT IT: THE CUBAN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS SIMPLY THE BEST Sydney, September 30(RHC)-- There is no doubt about it: the Cuban women's volleyball team is simply the best. For a decade now, there has not been a major competition in which the Cuban team has fallen to a rival. And today was no exception to the rule. If baseball left a bitter taste , the victory and third consecutive Olympic title which was won over Russia today, was a gift for Cuba, Latin America and fans the world over. At approximately 1:20 AM, Cuba time, practically the entire country was on its feet; shouting, screaming, jumping and crying...in a burst of joy as the Cuban women's volleyball team took the Olympic title for the third straight time. The game began with two sets lost to the Russia team in a tight 27-25 and 34-32 games. But later, the "Morenas del Caribe" put their best skills in practice to win the remaining sets a non stop: 25-19; 25-18 and 15-7 tie breaker. Despite their rough start, there was no doubt about the greatness of the team. Many Cubans turned their TV sets off even before the game began. Not even the two gold medals won by boxers Guillermo Ringondeaux in 54 and Mario Kindelan in 60 kilos, gave them the courage to watch the game that was about to begin. Others went to sleep after the results of the first two sets; it was too depressing... Only the most optimistic continue watching the heart-stopping game and...THEY WON! The magnificent women's team seized the crown: The Queens of Volleyball. They are simply the best! It was one of the most dramatic games in years. Many times volleyball fans in Cuba have suffered through exciting, tight games, but this one was different. It was not only the women's third title, it was also the great satisfaction after the setback suffered in the island's national sport: baseball. For 94 minutes, boxing was put aside and there was nothing more important than volleyball in the world. In my neighborhood,people were in the streets celebrating to the strains of the conga rythms filling the air. The team, was led by head coach Eugenio George, one of the best this century, and he was also on top of the world. He said: "I think it was a good a Olympiad... we had predicted this victory, since the Grand Prix. We knew in advance that this would not be an easy tournament due to the quality of our rivals. It was difficult for each contender. It is a very well deserved medal. We barely got to know the villa. It was just the place where we sleep and eat, because we spent most of the time in the training center and on the court." Star player, Mireya Luis, said the victory means a lot to her: "This means history. Leaving modesty aside, it is only a few athletes who have had the chance to feel this emotion and I am feeling it right now. It's something that will last forever. Reglita, Marlenis, myself and others who have had that opportunity, being very young, to participate in three Olympic Games. This is part of Cuba's history, part of the history of Cuban women, of women volleyball players and of Latin American women. This is a source of pride for the Cuban school of volleyball, just a few countries attain this level of development. And it is a source of pride especially for our coach Eugenio George." Asked how she felt when the team was losing she said: "I felt bad. It's very different to be sitting watching than to be with the team playing. But I also knew that the girls would recover. Our preparation is more than just these four years...it is something that dates back many years. We have a very solid preparation. That's why I knew they would wake up. It was never too late." BOXING: FOUR IN FOUR AND FIRST BY COUNTRIES AGAINST ALL ODDS Sydney, September 30(RHC)-- The four Cuban boxers who climbed into the ring today won gold medals in Sydney and Cuba revalidated its supremacy by countries at the Olympic Games for the third consecutive time. Kazajstan, the other country with four men left to fight for the gold tonight, even if they are to win, will not be able to beat Cuba, because the island has, in addition to 4 gold, two bronze medals. The four Cuban winners were Guillermo Rigondeaux in the 54 kilo division, Mario Kindelan in 60, Jorge Gutierrez in 75 and Felix Savon in 91. The Cubans revealed brilliant technique and fought every minute with intelligence, never letting their contenders come too close. In that way limiting the possibilities for the judges to mark improper points. Here on the island, Cubans were glued to their TV screens. We held our breaths when the referee called Felix Savon, who had an injury in his left eye, in order to have the wound cleaned. There were only 13 seconds left and Savon had been winning the bout. But it had a happy ending and the giant boxer has now become the third man to win an Olympic title for the third consecutive time. Sharing the honor are Hungarian Lazso Papp and Teofilo Stevenson from Cuba. Savon won his first title in Barcelona in 1992 with an easy victory over Nigerian David Izonritei 14-1. He repeated his triumph in Atlanta against Canadian David Defiabgon 20-2. Cuba was greatly affected by the improper calls of the judges and has presented an official protest note which was rejected by the International Amateur Boxing Association. CANOE EXPERTS WIN TWO SILVER MEDALS Sydney, September 30(RHC)-- The second to last day of the Sydney games will always be remembered in Cuba. The day began with two-silver medals for the island in canoeing. Track and field provided two bronze medals more while boxing brought in four gold. This is the first time Cuba has won Olympic medals in canoing. Ledys Frank Balceiro got silver in men's C-1 over 1000 meters while Ibrahim rojas and Leobaldo Pereira followed suit in C-2. Today they compete in the 500 meters. For Balcerio the result was a surprise. He said: "The result is a surprise because we've never before achieved so much in singles. We have had some significant results, but we hadn't won a medal yet. However, on the other hand, it isn't a complete surprise because of the excellent preparation that preceded our presentation in Sydney. This medal is a tribute to my daughter who is only a month old and my family, including my wife and my grandparents. It is also for the Cuban people and everyone that had to do with this result: trainers, coaches, doctors, psychologists and therapists." Today, things are going to be a little bit more difficult for Balceiro in the 500-meter race. Ibrahim Rojas in C-2 was visibly thrilled after his victory: "I'm very, very happy so much so that I can barely speak. We were always thinking we had a chance for a medal, but once we arrived in Sydney, we realized things were much more difficult than we had thought, considering our rivals' times. We are very happy." TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS: TWO BRONZE Sydney, September 30(RHC)-- While Cuba won two bronze in Track and Field, Latin America also has won its share of medals. The women's 4 by 100 meter relay team from the Bahamas won the Olympic title, dethroning all time favorites, the U.S.A. The team from the Bahamas stopped the clocks at 41.95 seconds, for the best time of the season. Jamaica was second with Merlene Ottey closing the race and the United States third. Cuba, landed in last place in the 4 by 400 meter relay, with, what was, nevertheless, a great performance by the team. Brazil, for its part, won silver in men's 4 by 100 meters for its first medal in Track and Field. The United States recuperated the title lost in Atlanta while Cuba got bronze. The Cuban relay team registered its best time of the season with 38.04 seconds. They felt that they lost some hundredths of a second during the last change which would have given them the gold. Cuba got silver in Barcelona in 1992. The island had three competitors in women's javelin throw and finally took bronze with Osleidis Menendez and a 66.18 meter throw. The other two Cubans made 5th and 6th. The gold went to Trine Hattestad of Norway with 68.91 meters, while German Steffi Nerius was second. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. Todos los derechos reservados. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= rhc-eng-476 2000-Oct-02 11:40:27