Even though Havana’s 2012 bid for the Summer Olympic Games is a long shot, the city didn’t promote its bid when it submitted its application form to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) without any formal presentation.
Cuban Olympic Committee official Ernesto Pino told Reuters, “Havana deserves to have the 2012 Games on Cuba’s merit in sports”.
Havana’s 2012 bid stresses the city’s experience in organizing successful international sporting events, such as the 1991 Pan American Games.
Pino said the relative absence of crime was another plus for Havana.
Cuba says it will build new sports facilities but Pino had no details of what is planned.
According to Reuters, Havana’s many sports facilities are in disrepair since the demise of Soviet Communism plunged Cuba into deep economic crisis.
The stadium built for the 1991 Pan American Games on the coast in eastern Havana looks dilapidated and in need of a major overhaul.
