Havana, April 4 (RHC)-- The Cuban Athletics Federation (FCA) on Friday condemned the U.S. government's denial of visas to the national delegation scheduled to attend the World Masters Indoor Championships in Gainesville, held last month, as unacceptable.

According to the organization, the Cuban delegation was composed of 16 people, including two residents of that country, on January 27.  The process of issuing the necessary passports for 12 athletes, one delegate, and one journalist began at that time, as well as the process related to the established applications for submitting the necessary paperwork to the aforementioned embassy.

On February 25, the embassy called for interviews and denied visas to four of the applicants.  Once the competition concluded, on March 31, the embassy returned the remaining passports with visa denials.  Therefore, only two US residents participated in the competition.

In response to this attitude, the FCA described it as an unacceptable action, which undermines the aspirations of those preparing for this competition, violates the very essence of sport, and represents discriminatory treatment, contrary to the duty of countries that host international competitions.

[ SOURCE:  PRENSA LATINA ]