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Cuba Reiterates Hopes to Host Olympics in 2012 or 2016
Jose R. Fernandez, President of the Olympic Committee of Cuba (COC), reiterated Tuesday his country's intention to host the Olympic Games of 2012 or 2016.
Fernandez said in an interview to the official news agency Prensa Latina, during the anniversary of the 1991 Havana Pan- American Games, that their success "inspires the Cuban people to dream with the organization of the Olympic Games, so it is a goal to hold them in 2012 or 2016."
"For that purpose we have to go against the habit that Olympic Games be carried out in big and rich countries," said the also Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.
"More or less Mexico (organizing the 1968 Olympics) was the exception to the rule in its character of big country, in terms of extension and population though," he added.
The next two Olympic Games will be held in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
There are already many cities presenting their candidacies to hold the 2012 Olympics, among them many US localities, but it is put to the International Olympic Committee to decide on the best option.
"The countries that have also presented their candidature are Spain (Madrid or Seville), England (London), France (Paris), Italy (Rome) and quite certainly Turkey (Istanbul) (which was) eliminated in the last two elections," Fernandez said.
"We're convinced that the more than 173 Olympic Committees of small countries deserve to hold the Games as well, whenever they are able to offer modest and reasonable conditions," he underscored.
"Cuba has shown its capability for complex events like the 1991 Pan-American Games, the 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games, as well as world tournaments and championships," he said.
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