Cuba wins Three Gold Medals in the Special Olympics Latin America Games

Cuba won three gold medals, two of them in athletics, during the fourth day of the 3rd Special Olympics Latin America Regional Games taking place in Panama City.

The two crowns in athletics went to Tomas Collazo and Yaime Licea in the men´s and women´s 200 meters respectively, events in which the Caribbean island added one bronze medal through Yariel Garcia, and a fourth seat.

The other Cuban title was achieved in the women's table tennis event, played in the Balboa gym, one of the eight venues of the sporting contest.

Swimmer Lizandra Utría, one of the six athletes who make up the Cuban delegation, won her second medal, this time she ranked second, in the women´s 50 meters freestyle.

Utria, who is only 13, had previously finished third yesterday in the women´s 50 meters backstroke.

The first Special Olympics Latin American Games were held in El Salvador in 2006, under the commitment of every four years to gather in a different venue sports lovers with intellectual disability.

This third edition in Panama is attended by some 800 athletes from 21 countries competing in ten sports: athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, tennis, table tennis and football.

According to Yolanda Eleta, president of the Special Olympics in Panama, these games are a unique opportunity not only to incorporate to society all people with intellectual disabilities through sport, but to offer them the place of respect and admiration they deserve.

The Special Olympics is a global movement governed by the International Olympic Committee, which involves more than 170 nations.