Bach's meeting with Cuban and U.S. NOC leaders highlighted

Havana, July 12 (RHC)-- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently highlighted the recent meeting between its president, German Thomas Bach, and the heads of the National Olympic Committees of Cuba and the United States.

According to the publication Actualidad Olímpica, "President Bach recently received Susanne Lyons, president of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and her Cuban counterpart Roberto León Richards Aguiar.

The visits of Lyons and Richards to Lausanne found coincidence and "the IOC president took the opportunity (...) to hold a joint meeting, a symbol of the cohesive potential of sport and the Olympic movement," the IOC publication reported.

"Together they discussed issues of common interest such as the preparation of their respective athletes for the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028," the media outlet added.

After his visit to the Olympic House, IOC headquarters, Leon Richards had confirmed to the JIT publication that he answered Bach's questions about the situation in Cuba and the circumstances in which their athletes are preparing.

He also offered extensive information on how the country is facing the current difficult situation, intensified by the covid-19, the world economic crisis and above all the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government for more than 60 years.

Richards pointed out that Washington's hostility is not manifested in the historic links between athletes, federations and institutions of U.S. sport, including the USOPC. He also considered that the majority of the American people want normal relations with the island.

Richards finally insisted that the support of the government of the Island to the sport activity is maintained, and that Cuba is preparing for the fundamental challenges of the Olympic cycle that will end in Paris 2024.