The Barrientos Memorial Athletics Tournament starts today with the participation of Cuban and foreign athletes.

Jorge Luis Sánchez, national commissioner of the discipline, told reporters that athletes from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and about 185 Cubans confirmed their presence.

The contest is devoted to the 50th anniversary of the Olympic silver medal achieved by sprinter Enrique Figuerola, in Tokyo, Japan.

The list of contestants attending the event includes pole vaulter Yarisley Silva, gold medalist at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland, in March.

Another Cuban athlete who will be present is the triple jumper Ernesto Reve, runner-up in the same competition.

The Barrientos Memorial Athletics Tournament, based at Havana’s Pan American Stadium, constitutes a preparation for Cuban and regional athletes ahead of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, next November, where Cuba hopes to win between 19 and 22 gold medals.