Four Cuban rowers have defected to the United States

[projekktor id=’20005′]

Four Cuban athletes competing at the Pan Am rowing venue in St. Catharines have defected to the U.S., their coach confirming earlier today. The four have crossed the Niagara border with the help of friends in the U.S.

The Cuban coach confirmed today four rowers had defected after the Cuban Lightweight men’s fours were forced to scratch on the henley course in St. Catharines during the race this morning.

28 year old Leosmel Ramos and 32 year old Wilbur Turro dropped out before the regatta began on Saturday.

Their teammates 25 year old Manuel Suarez and 18 year old Orlando Sotolongo left Brock University after they had both won silver medals.

U.S. rower Keane Johnson says he started hearing rumblings around the residence that Cubans were defecting days ago.

“Last Sunday when we were racing in our eight we heard that one of the Cuban athletes on that boat was missing and they had to use a sub at the last minute.”

At this point Cubans still have special status with U.S. Immigration. Their application for refugee status will be accepted on the spot.

Relations between the United States and Cuba are warming, but if these athletes can take advantage of the open door policy for Cubans right now, they won’t have to line up for Visas sometime in the future.