Head of the Cuban delegation to the 2nd Youth Olympics in China's Nanjing, Heriberto Suarez showed his confidence in the performance of the Cuban athletes aged from 15 to 18, sports news website Jit reported Friday.

Suarez underscored the hospitality of the Chinese hosts during the delegation's arrival and familiarity tour of the Olympic Village.

The 12-member Cuban delegation will compete in archery, boxing, canoeing, judo, swimming, rowing and the triathlon.

Notable members of the delegation include boxers and world youth titleholders Javier Ibanez (in the 56-kilo class) and Yordan Hernandez (91 kg), in addition to Alain Limonta (60 kg).

Suarez also admitted that they won't be able to match Cuba's performance at the first summer Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010, when the delegation had been nearly four times as large.

In Singapore, Cuba's 43 athletes won nine gold medals, three silver and two bronze, placing Cuba in fifth place on the overall medals table, and in first place regionally.

According to the Nanjing organizers, the Aug. 16-28 games will see 3,787 athletes compete in 28 sports.

The youth games are considered to be a prime showcase for tomorrow's star athletes. Endi

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