Miserable day for Cuba

“There was a bit of a disturbance,” Ingram said. “The police happened to be going by when it transpired.” The members of the Cuban delegation were sent back to their lodgings. Police were investigating the incident, but were unable to offer further details.

During the ninth inning of the baseball game, won 3-2 by Cuba, a spectator carrying a sign saying “Human right first” ran onto the field. He was chased by two Cuban players who came out of the dugout, then tackled by Cuba second baseman Juan Padilla. He then was escorted out of the stadium by security.

The Cubans face the United States for the gold medal.

Another Cuban leaves team: A Cuban athlete has sought asylum in Canada, bringing to five the number of Cubans to leave the delegation during the games.

Royal Canadian mounted police authorities confirmed yesterday that an unidentified athlete walked into their downtown office on Saturday and said he wanted to defect.

The athlete, whom sources close to the Cuban delegation said was a member of the athletics team, was turned over to immigration officials.

Gold for Brazil:Brazil scored a major upset over Cuba — 20-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-22, 25-13 — to win women’s volleyball gold yesterday in one of the most electrifying match-ups of the games.

While the world’s No 4-ranked Brazilians celebrated by hopping around the court in a group hug as 5,000 fans roared, the defending world and Olympic champions sat dejected at courtside following their hard-fought 3-2 loss.

Coming into the games, Cuba was the undisputed world power in women’s volleyball, having won every major international competition since 1992 and the seven previous Pan Am titles.