HAVANA, Cuba -- Hortencia, the world's best women's basketball player who created a stir a few years back when she posed naked in a Brazilian edition of Playboy, says she may hang up her sneakers soon.
After helping Brazil upset the United States 87-84 Sunday, she told the media she wants to have a baby.NEWLN: ------
Because of a controversy in the men's 100-kilometer cycling time trial Sunday, gold medals were awarded to Cuba and Colombia.
Cuba's time of 2:08:56.09 was a half-second better than Colombia's time, but the Cubans made an improper turn around a cone at the halfway mark. The Cubans were allowed to turn between the last cone and the timing device, while the other teams were told to go around the timing device -- requiring more time.
When the Colombian team protested after the race, the International Cycling Union officials awarded gold medals to both teams.NEWLN: ------
Perfect games are almost routine for Debra Doom, who had five at UCLA from 1983-86 and another late Saturday night against the Netherlands Antilles in the U.S. women's softball team's Pan Am opener.
'I've had a lot of perfect games, but not as many as when I was in college,' Doom said. 'I only get to play about three months out of the year now.'
Doom of El Monte, Calif., struck out 16 of 21 batters she faced in the 4-0 victory. As a member of the 1990 USA World Championship team, she was 18-7 with 10 shutouts and one no-hitter.NEWLN: ------
Two Pan American Games records were set in the Cuba-Nicaragua baseball game Sunday. The Cubans, who won 14-6, hit seven home runs, including a record three straight. Orestes Kindelan hit two homers in the game, including a two-run shot, while Romelio Martinez also hit two homers.
Nicaragua's Jose Padilla also set a a Pan Am record by striking out five times.NEWLN: ------
Cuban athletes were among the top qualifiers during Sunday's track and field competition at the Pan Am Games.
Two of the world's top quartermilers, Roberto Hernandez and Ana Quirot, both of Cuba, posted the top qualifying times in their races. Hernandez ran in 45.54 seconds, and Quirot ran in 50.69. Teammate Liliana Allen had the top qualifying time in the 100 meters at 11.33.
Brazilian Jose Valente turned in the best time in 1,500 meters at 3:44.97.NEWLN: ------
Havana's Latinoamericano Stadium was only about half-full for the baseball opener of the Pan American Games. The stadium holds about 55, 000, and a full house was expected. The entire outfield stands were empty, however.
One fan said the reason was because of the opponent, Nicaragua.
'Wait until Cuba plays the United States,' the fan said. 'People will be left outside.'
Among those in attendance Sunday were Los Angeles Dodgers scout Mike Brito and Ruben Amaro, the former Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees shortstop who now scouts for the Detroit Tigers.
