Pubdate: Sat, 4 September 1999
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press

CASTRO ASKS FOR IOC PROBE OF PAN AM DRUG SCANDALS

HAVANA (AP) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro asked Friday for the
International Olympic Committee to investigate drug scandals at the Pan
American games and demanded four Cuban athletes who tested positive for
doping be given back their medals.

"And for much more," Castro added during a five-hour televised appearance.
"To return the honor of these scorned athletes. We will not rest until it is
achieved."

Castro asked that IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch form an investigatory
commission to follow up on Cuba's charges of irregularities in drug tests
given to high-jump world champion Javier Sotomayor and three weight lifting
medalists.

Gold medals were taken away from Sotomayor, and weight lifters William
Vargas and Rolando Delgado. A silver medal was stripped from weight lifter
Modesto Sanchez.

Sotomayor tested positive for cocaine and the weight lifters tested positive
for anabolic steroids.

During the first half of two days of televised hearings, Castro said
Thursday that Cuba's own drug tests of the three weight lifters showed that
none had anabolic steroids in their bodies.

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