Castro Backs Cuban Athlete Who Kicked Ref

Accuses Matos' opponent of trying to fix fight

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Aug 25, 2008 5:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – An ailing Fidel Castro expressed "total solidarity" today with a Cuban martial artist who kicked an Olympics referee in the face, the AP reports. Castro supported a claim by the taekwondo athlete's coach that the contest was fixed and marred by a bribery attempt. "They had tried to buy his own coach," Castro wrote of Angel Matos, who faces a lifetime ban from the sport. "He could not contain himself."

"Cuba has never bought an athlete or judge," wrote Castro after Cuba won two golds, seven fewer than in Athens 4 years ago. He urged Cuban athletes to prepare for the London games in 2012, adding that "there will be European chauvinism, judge corruption, buying of brawn and brains... and a strong dose of racism."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Cuba's Matos, left, kicks the referee in the face during a bronze medal match. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Angel Matos reacts to an unidentified judge as his coach Leudis Gonzales, right, looks at him, during a bronze medal match against Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo)

Matos, right, is held back by his coach after the kick. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Silver medalist Carlos Banteaux Suarez of Cuba is pictured here. Cuba won just two golds in Beijing, seven fewer than in Athens four years ago. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Our fighters ... had hopes of winning, despite the judges, but it was useless. They were condemned beforehand. - Fidel Castro

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Fidel Emerges to Promote New Memoir

Castro, the former Cuban leader, talks up 1,000-page tome

(AP) - Fidel Castro spent six hours presenting a two-volume memoir to an audience at a Havana convention center, state media said today. It was a rare appearance for the retired and increasingly reclusive former Cuban leader. Images on state television showed a smiling, animated Castro wearing a dark track suit over a blue plaid button-up shirt. Audio of him was not broadcast, but Communist Party newspaper Granma said he told attendees yesterday that they would hear about "two books that you haven't had any news of." More»

Fidel Castro Accuses US of Genocide in Libya

Former Cuban leader calls Obama's UN speech 'gibberish'

(NEWSER) - One person who is not a fan of the US intervention in Libya: Fidel Castro. The former Cuban leader spoke out against President Obama's address to the UN in an opinion column published on a Cuban government website today, calling it "gibberish" and referring to NATO’s actions in Libya as "genocide" and a "monstrous crime." Castro had not written one of his so-called "reflections" since early July, prompting rumors of declining health, but in today’s piece he was back to form, blasting what he calls the US' hypocritical behavior. More»

Transsexual Woman, Gay Man Marry in Cuba

Ceremony called a milestone, although gay marriage still illegal

(NEWSER) - Less than a year after Fidel Castro apologized for Cuba's history of gay persecution, Cuba has had its first gay marriage ... kind of. Gay marriage remains illegal in Cuba, but yesterday saw the wedding of a gay man and transsexual woman, reports the AP —the bride, Wendy Iriepa, is now officially a woman, four years after undergoing state-sponsored sex-change surgery. "We celebrate it at the top of our voices and affirm that this is a step forward for the gay community in Cuba," said groom Ignacio Estrada, a gay-rights activist. More»

Quietly, Fidel Castro Turns 85

Cuban leader still a quiet force on island nation

(AP) - Fidel Castro marked his 85th birthday outside of the public spotlight today, with little fanfare around the aging revolutionary icon who is rarely seen in public these days but still casts a long shadow over Cuban society. There were no announced celebrations of Castro's birthday, though the previous night two dozen musical acts from across Latin America held a concert in his honor. More»

Still Kicking: Chavez, Castro on Cuban TV

Chavez looks healthy in new video and pictures

(NEWSER) - Rumors of Hugo Chavez's pending death have been greatly exaggerated—or at least somewhat exaggerated—as new video aired on Cuban television yesterday shows a healthy looking Chavez talking with Fidel Castro, reports the BBC . Reports have swirled that the Venezuelan president is in critical condition in a Cuban hospital, possibly with prostate cancer, although officially he is getting minor surgery for a "pelvic abscess." "To those of you who are speculating over the president's health, there he is... fine, recovering well," said a spokesman for the Venezuelan government. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Castro Backs Cuban Athlete Who Kicked Ref