The Cuban athletes are headed by Ledi Frank Balceiro, several times world champion in the two-seat canoe (C-2) category and Olympic silver medallist in Sydney'2000 (C-1) and Athens'2004 (C-2).

According to Cuban experts, Balceiro will mainly compete in the 1,000-meter race in C-1 category and the 500-meter race in the C-2 category.

In the latter, Balceiro's partner must be chosen after Ibrahim Rojas' retirement, although Aldo Pruna is one of the candidates to fill the vacuum.

In 2005, the Cuban canoeists will compete in the World Cups in Belgium (April 30 to May 2) and Poland (May 13-15), as well as in the World Championship in Croatia.

Other major events are the Pan-American Tournament in Canada (July), and training camps in Villa Clara and Mexico.

By: Dtcuba