(19 Mar 1995) Spanish/Nat Cuba's sports minister, in Argentina for the Pan-American Games, has admitted that Cuba's economic crisis has hurt the country's once-powerful sports teams. But Cuban athletes taking part in the Games revealed they still receive preferential treatment at home. For more than 20 years, Cuba, an island of only 11 million people, has been one of the strongest sports powerhouses in the world. But Communist Cuba is struggling through its worst socio-economic crisis ever. Now even its world class athletes are being affected. But the strength of the Cuban team in the Mar del Plata, Argentina, Pan American Games is still apparent. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "We think we are going to win this competition. I predict that we will win one gold, two silver and one bronze." SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Sulacia, Greco-Roman wrestling team's Coach But their decline has not gone unnoticed. Just over two weeks through the games, Cuba is second in the medal standings, but already 50 gold medals behind its nemesis, the United States. The Cubans led the last games with 140 gold medals, ten more than U-S team. According to Cuban officials, the main reason for this decline is that their athletes can no longer travel to the former European Eastern Block to train for free. Despite the setbacks, Cuban athletes still enjoy a standard of living very few people can afford in the island. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "No, the crisis does not affect us. So the government protects you, right? Yes, it does. Do you have special treatment so you can train and travel, right? Yes, yes, yes So, the only thing you do is sports? Yes, sports and I also study" SUPER CAPTION: Raul Martinez, Greco-Roman wrestling world Champion There was another change evident at the games. In the past interviewing a Cuban athlete without the presence of his coach or a sports official would have been unthinkable. In Mar del Plata today, journalists had almost free access to them and were free to ask any question. This openness does not come easily. So many Cuban athletes have defected in recent years, that the Sports minister said prior to the games that it is not a concern anymore. He added that athletes are free to defect if they want. But there have been no defections so far at these games. And those who speak on camera say that it is business as usual. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "So, far the situation in Cuba has not affected us So, you don't have to work to earn a living? No, no. So you have that privilege, right? Yes, yes." SUPER CAPTION: Maribel Veranes, Field Hockey Player The Cubans say that despite the economic crisis, they'll continue to fight for gold medal glory. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/52b20dbbdbc262b49d65ad0651b8a88c

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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