CUBA: CUBAN WORLD HIGH JUMP RECORD HOLDER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR DENIES HAVING TAKEN COCAINE

Record ID: 371461

  • Title: CUBA: CUBAN WORLD HIGH JUMP RECORD HOLDER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR DENIES HAVING TAKEN COCAINE
  • Date: 5th August 1999
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 5, 1999) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF JAVIER SOTOMAYOR'S HOUSE 2. A FRIEND OF SOTOMAYOR WALKING INTO HIS HOUSE 3. CAMERAMAN 4. TWO CHILDREN COMING OUT OF SOTOMAYOR'S HOUSE 5. SOTOMAYOR LEAVING HIS HOME IN A RED MERCEDES 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JAVIER SOTOMAYOR, HIGH JUMP RECORD HOLDER SAYING: "I am innocent, that's all I can say." 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIO SANCHEZ, CUBAN SPORTS FAN SAYING: "Sotomayor is an athlete of a very high level. I am a jumper too but he is amazing. He could not have been doped. A man like him who jumps with such ease does not need doping." (FILE) (REUTERS) 8. SOTOMAYOR JUMPING IN 1998 HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 5, 1999) (REUTERS) 9. (SOUNDBITE) (SPANISH) FRANCISCO YOPAR, CUBAN SPORTS FAN SAYING: "I was listening to the radio very early and this is just one of many things they are doing against us. Hostility actions against the Cuban delegation, in this case against Sotomayor who is a universal figure. My family and I have full confidence that he is innocent." 10. LOCAL NEWSPAPER THAT READS: "I am a victim of a trick" 11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REINALDO DAMAS, CUBAN SPORTS FAN SAYING "I think that can be repeated, I think it is a mistake and a trick by the Canadian government." (FILE) (REUTERS) 12. SOTOMAYOR PRACTICING Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 20th August 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HAVANA, CUBA
  • Country: Cuba
  • Reuters ID: LVA5GH7KUFHAAFPOVVXEKXQ78VCN
  • Story Text: Cuban world high jump record holder Javier Sotomayor
    has denied having taken cocaine after winning the gold medal
    in his event at the Pan American Games in Canada.

    Cuban world high-jump record holder Javier Sotomayor
    told reporters Thursday (August 5) that he had not taken any
    drugs to compete at the Pan American Games."I am innocent,
    that's all I can say," he said.

    Fans reacted with shock and scepticism after hearing that
    their hero had failed a drug test after winning the gold medal.

    A fellow high jumper Mario Sanchez described Sotomayor as
    an athlete of "a very high level" who jumps with such ease
    that "he doesn't need doping".

    That sentiment was echoed at the so-called Hot Corner in
    Havana's Central Park, where Cuban sports fans gather to
    debate the latest news.

    Some consider the case against Sotomayor to be part of a
    political campaign intended to damage the Caribbean island's
    reputation and sink one of its most brilliant and popular athletes.

    The Pan American Sports Organization said on Wednesday
    that 200 nanograms, or 200 parts per million, of cocaine had
    been found in the 31-year-old athlete's urine after he
    finished first in the high jump on Friday.

    Officials at the competition at Winnipeg in Canada could
    not say whether the cocaine had been taken recreationally or
    had been contained in medicine.

    Leaders of the Cuban delegation at the tournament sprang
    to Sotomayor's defense, insisting that he had been a victim of
    sabotage, and that his food may have been spiked.


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