Olympics: Cuban 'traitors' can't compete

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Cuba have called three of their top athletes traitors, blocking them from competing for other nations at the Olympics.

World long jump champion Niurka Montalvo and waterpolo player Ivan Perez want to represent Spain, and kayaker Angel Perez is in the United States team.

But the Olympic charter says an athlete must have had nationality in their new country for three years before the Games, or get a waiver from their original home.

Montalvo, who won the world title for Spain last year, will appeal to compete under the Olympic flag if her dilemma is not sorted out.

US Olympic officials are going as far as appealing to the International Olympic Committee, after Cuba refused a waiver for Angel Perez.