¡@HAVANA, July 29(Xinhuanet)-- Cuba announced Friday its delegation for the 10th Athletics World Championship, to take place at Helsinki, Finland, on August 6-14, which will be headed by Olympic gold-medalist and world record holder in javelin Osleidys Menendez.

This 25-year-old athlete got last Sunday at Helsinki the best mark of the year at 68.47 meters, which makes her the most serious candidate for the gold.

The Cuban Athletics Federation said that 26 athletes will represent the country, including Athens 2004 Olympic champion in shot put Yumileidi Cumba, and world runner-up in triple-jump in Paris 2003 Yoandri Betanzos.

The source said that also going to Finland are two-time champion in hammer Yipsi Moreno, as well as Olympic champions in Sydney 2000 Ivan Pedroso, in the long jump, and Anier Garcia, in the 110 meters hurdles.

Cuba will also be represented by veteran Sonia Bisset in the javelin; twice finalist in the 800 meters Zulia Calatayud and young jumper Yargelis Savigne.

Cuba is among the founders of the world athletics championships, which started at Helsinki 22 years ago, and in which it has won 14 gold, 11 silver and five bronze medals.

The most important participation of the island came in Athens 1997, where it won four gold, one silver and one bronze medals. Enditem