Cuba no to suspend tainted Sotomayor

MONTE CARLO (Monaco), SEPT 20: Cuban officials have again refused to suspend high jumper Javier Sotomayor, contending his positive test for cocaine at the Pan American Games was the result of tampering. The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) said today it received a letter over the weekend from the Cuban federation rejecting IAAF’s demand that Sotomayor be suspended pending a hearing.

“They said they have enough proof to say there was a manipulation of the urine sample,” IAAF spokesman Giorgio Reineri said. “We will now ask to see the evidence.”

Sotomayor, the world record-holder in the high jump, tested positive for cocaine at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada and was stripped of his gold medal in the event. Sotomayor and Cuban officials, including Fidel Castro, have repeatedly claimed the athlete was the victim of a political conspiracy.