Nassau BAH - Cuba will send its largest teams ever to an international athletic competition, aiming to regain the number one spot at the 20th Central American and Caribbean Championships, to be held this weekend in Nassau, Bahamas.

Olympic Shot Put champion Yumileidi Cumba, 2003 Paris World Championships Triple Jump runner-up Yoandri Betanzos and 2004 Olympic Hammer bronze medallist Yunaika Crawford lead the 60-plus member squad, that includes other top class athletes expected to represent the island one month later at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki.

While Javelin World record holder and Olympic gold medallist Osleidys Menendez, two-time Hammer world champion Yipsi Moreno and two-time 800m Olympic finalist Zulia Calatayud continue their European campaign, others have returned home to guarantee the Cuban overall dominance in the medal tally.

Yargelis Savigne, a Long Jump specialist who has become the new Triple Jump sensation with a personal best of 14.63 this season, will contest in both events.

"It is great to be back home and compete with our neighbours so we could have an idea for the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena, Colombia. I may also double in Helsinki", said 20-year old Savigne.

In Havana, Lois M. Martinez caused a great surprise with his massive 67.45m effort in the Discus, while Arianna Martinez triple jumped a legal 14.23.

For many of these decorated athletes, Nassau means returning to an event where they started to build up a successful international career.

Still in their junior ages, Cumba was second in Cali, Colombia (1993) and Betanzos claimed the silver medal in Guatemala 2001.

Cuba is one of the founders of the CAC Championships in Athletics since its inaugural edition in Xalapa, Mexico (1967) and also hosted the event in 1969 and 1983. It always topped the medal tally, except when they missed the 1991 and 1999 editions in Xalapa, Mexico and Bridgetown, Barbados. They conquered the throne again with a small team in Guatemala 2001.

But only 13 athletes competed in St. George’s and Cuba finished third overall, behind Jamaica and Mexico. Only four athletes clinched the title then: Misleidys González (Shot), Yosvani Suárez (Hammer), Lisvany Pérez (High Jump) and Yudelkis Martínez (10.000m). Suárez, Pérez and Martínez will try to defend their area crows in the Bahamian capital.

Cuba’s best chances are in the Jumps, the Throws and the Hurdles, with 2003 World Championships finalist Yoel Hernandez leading the sprinters over the barriers. On the track, Geymán López (400m), Maury Castillo (800-1500m), Sergio Hierrezuelo and Yacnier Luis (400m hurdles) can also contribute to the team, although they will certainly find a top quality field in their events.

The men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, as well as the women’s 4x400m quarter are urged to meet the IAAF standard to join the women’s 4x100 squad in Helsinki.

With prize money as an extra incentive for the first time in the 38-year history of the event, Nassau is seen as a prefect tune-up in the lead-up to the World Championships. Other athletes see it as their last opportunity to meet the IAAF and National Federation standards to make the national team for Helsinki.