体坛英语新闻：Cuba raises the bar for athletes to world competitions

HAVANA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cuba has decided to set stricter qualification standards for its track and field stars than those set by the world athletic body, the National Institute of Sports and Recreation (INDER) announced Thursday on its sports news website.

In the lead up to the world track and field championships to be held in Moscow, Russia, from August 10 to 18, Cuban sports officials are requiring a time of 13.25 seconds from their men's short-distance hurdlers, instead of the 13.40 seconds established by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

In the 400-meter hurdles, Cuba is looking for a time of 48.50 seconds, versus the 49.40 seconds required by the IAAF.

In the decathlon, Cuba's competitors need to deliver 8,300 points, or 100 points more than the IAAF demands to qualify for the Moscow meet.

What's more, Cuban officials demand their competitors register their best times at least twice, a real challenge in trials such as the men's 4x400 relay.

"We are looking to compete with athletes that have a real chance of making it to the finals," explained National Athletics Commissioner Jorge Luis Sanchez.

"That doesn't mean that we won't take a special look at figures that interest us, above all we look to develop young athletes with potential," said Sanchez, stressing the emphasis would still be on finding those who can bring home a medal.