PASO President praises Toronto Games and Cuba

TORONTO, Canada, Jul 15 (acn) Julio Cesar Maglione, president of the Pan American Sports Organization, highlighted the conditions of the Pan American Games taking place in this city and the level of the Cuban delegation, especially the triumph of its synchronized platform divers.

I as a sportsman very much appreciate the efforts of Cuba and other countries which economic situation is not the best, but with pride seek ways to be present, he told Cuban reporters at the CIBC Aquatics Centre.

I congratulate Cuba by the success of its divers, especially that boy I've seen so many times, he is more than 30 years and is always on top, he added when referring to Jose Antonio Guerra, winner of the synchronized platform along with Jeinkler Aguirre.

I think he is an example for sport, said the Uruguayan dentist who described Cuba as a "very sporty" country and considered positive the fight for second spot among Cubans, Brazilians and locals.

It's a natural rivalry. Every human being seeks to overcome and it would be a disaster if not seeking the triumph, he said by considering this celebration as a powerful symbol of what the sport is.

These are the purposes for which an event of this type is made, because it is not only the sports performance that draws us all, it is also the quality effort, the levels to be reached.
It is a feast of the Americas, confirmed the also member of the International Olympic Committee since 1996.

It also serves to unite us, respect and love each other. It is what is sought, to create friendships because being together is what gives us the future strength and makes us important in the world, he noted.

Sport has cultural and educational values that are very hard to find in another area. In addition, it has control of doping, he said.

I do not think there's any other activity in the world that has it with the seriousness and responsibility with which the Olympic movement assumes it, concluded Maglione, also head of the International Swimming Federation.