Cuban sportsmen who competed at the Beijing Olympics were welcomed on Monday as heroes at their hometowns.

National TV broadcasted images of the welcoming to the judoka Yorandis Arencibia and long jumper Ibrahim Camejo, who both won bronze medals, in the municipalities of Amancio (east, province of Holguin) and in the island of Juventd, respectively.

Both athletes thanked the "warming" popular homage and they gave details about how difficult were the competitions in Beijing.

Former Cuban Leader Fidel Castro, in an article published on Monday by local press, said that the Cuban athletes who competed in Beijing 2008 have a great merit as representatives of the non-professional sport.

"Let's welcome out Olympic sportsmen in all the country. Let's hail their dignity and their merit. Let's do for them all what we can," Castro said and he added "For the honor, Gold Medal!"

During the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008, Cuba competed with 165 athletes in 16 sports; and it won 24 medals, among them two were gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze; Cuba finished at the 28th place of the general table.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)