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TORONTO 2015

The Cuban flag is now flying over the Athletes' Village

Cuba’s athletes to the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games enjoyed the symbolism of the flag-raising ceremony at the Athletes’ Village, which they shared with their counterparts from the Bahamas and Colombia

Author: | internet@granma.cu

TORONTO.- Under the brightly shining sun, the Cuban flag was hoisted on July 8 at the 2015 Pan American Games Athletes' Village, a site brimming with aspirations, hope, and fraternity.

The Cuban delegation headed by the President of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) Antonio Becali, sang the national anthem while their country’s flag was raised to the top of the mast in an official welcome ceremony to the beautiful grounds of the village.

Cuba’s athletes enjoyed the symbolism of the act, which they shared with their counterparts from the Bahamas and Colombia, while

Olympic champions such as judoka Idalys Ortiz and boxer Roniel Iglesias danced along to infectious rhythms with their peers, including a conga that livened up the afternoon together with Pachi, the Games’ mascot.

Shortly before, the emotions ran bear as Cuban-Canadian Gabriela González, representing the Games’ Youth Advisory Council and a member of the organizing committee, welcomed the athletes. “The village is your home, the heart and soul of the games, it is an inclusive, safe and comfortable environment that has been created to enable you to achieve your maximum level of performance,” she said.

While others continued with their training programs, Cuban weightlifters, softballers, divers, polo and tennis players gathered together with the Cuban Consul in Toronto, Javier Domokos.

Before Cuba, the flags of Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador, Panama, Chile, Honduras and Peru were hoisted, while Wednesday afternoon also saw the flags of Aruba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Canada, Bermuda, Ecuador, Surinam and Venezuela flying over the village.