Cuba to send 19 athletes to World Championships in China

Nineteen Cuban athletes in different specialties have achieved the required marks to represent the island at the 15th World Championships in Athletics next August 22-30 in Beijing, China, daily Granma reported Wednesday.

According to the newspaper, during the Centro-American and Caribbean Games, 15 athletes obtained the marks demanded by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for the world championships in China.

That list gathers the sprinters Roberto Skyers (20.47 seconds) and Reynier Mena (20.50) in the 200 meters, Raydel Acea (45.36) and Lisneidys Ines Veitia (51.72) in around the oval, while Andy Gonzalez (1:45.73 minutes) and Rose Mary Almanza (2:00.59) will defend Cuban colors in the 800 meters.

Also included are the 110 meters hurdler Yordan O'Farrill (13.46 seconds), the triple jumpers Ernesto Reve (16.94 meters) and Lazaro Martinez (16.91), the Pan American champion Yarisley Silva (4.60) in the pole vault, Yaniuvis Lopez (17.88) at the shot put.

Rounding out the selection of winners in Veracruz 2014 are the disc throwers Denia Caballero (64.47) and Yaime Perez (62.42) together with the marathoner Dailin Belmonte (2:42:01) and the hammer thrower Yipsi Moreno (71.35), three times world champion.

Meanwhile the island' s masculine quartet in the 400m relay deserved the right to compete at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, after reaching the fifth position (3:00.61) in 4x400 World Relays 2014 in Bahamas.

Before world championships, Cuban Athletics has a pending subject at the Pan American Games scheduled next July in Toronto, where the island will fight for the crown against the United States, its traditional rival in those continental events.