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Cuba flap jeopardizes junior meet, Miami's Pan Am bidJune 07 1999From: AOL Sports Cuba flap jeopardizes junior meet, Miami's Pan Am bid MIAMI -- Next month's Junior Pan American Games track and field championships may be canceled because of Miami-Dade County's recent decision to deny financial support if the event involves athletes from Cuba. The controversy also threatens to derail South Florida's bid to host the 2007 Pan American Games. "Dade County has effectively ruined any chances of hosting a major international sporting event," said Robin Beamon, executive director of USA Track and Field Florida Association, which is organizing the junior meet. Cuba has until June 25 to decide whether to compete in the Junior Pan Ams, scheduled for July 9-11 at Florida International University. But Beamon said the county's stand already has had an effect. Beamon said the event already has lost the services of police, fire rescue, communications and hotel-to-facility transportation. FIU also wants out of its commitment to provide a venue and housing, she said. "We are in big trouble," Beamon said. "We understand the issue of Cuba and politics and the struggle. This has nothing to do with politics. This is a sporting event for young athletes. The fallout from this will be heard around the world. They don't understand what they have done." The International Amateur Athletic Federation, track and field's world governing body, is expected to decide next week whether to cancel the event. USA Track and Field is ``currently moving ahead'' with plans until told otherwise, events director Duffy Mahoney said. Miami-Dade commissioners voted May 11 to oppose county support for the meet, expected to draw some 700 athletes from 35 nations. The commission usually provides support to sporting events held in the county by waiving $150,000 in fees and in-kind services. South Florida's bid to host the 2007 Pan American Games also could suffer. The U.S. Olympic Committee is expected to choose a U.S. bid site late this year. Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and San Antonio also are seeking the bid. The Pan Am Games would draw some 6,000 athletes and coaches from 42 countries to compete in 40 sports. Venues in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties would be utilized If you have news, results or info please let us know by using our submission form or emailing Larry Steinke [ MEET INFORMATION ] [ ANALYSIS & TIPS ] [ THROWS ARTICLES ] [ INTERVIEWS ] [ RECORDS ] [ RESULTS ] [ CLASSIFIEDS ] [ HOT LINK ARCHIVE ] [ DISCUSSION FORUM ] [ SUBMISSIONS ] [ THROWERS QUIZ ] [ GUESTBOOK ] | ||