If there's something in Cuba that truly glows is its development in sports and physical education. The amazing deeds of Cuban athletes in Olympic Games and other world-class competitions has made the island nation rub elbows with the planet's sport elite.

Hand in hand with the natural charms as a Caribbean sun-and-sand travel destination that Cuba has to offer goes an array of rich cultural traditions. But above all, the country boasts a happy, healthy, well- educated and friendly population.

Cuba is also a coveted tourist destination for people everywhere under the sun that love practicing sports and honor the Greek axiom that reads "sound mind in sound body." People from around the world can find here a safe place teeming with great opportunities for training, physical rehab, sport competitions or just for watching tournaments.

This issue of Cuba's Excellencies is intended to delve into the secrets that have put this Caribbean island on the map as far as sport results are concerned, to unearth the magic behind the many gold medals that Cuban athletes have won in sports in which only a handful of nations actually succeed, especially highly industrialized countries.

A delegation of 159 of the finest Cuban athletes will go for top laurels in Greece's Athens, the cradle of those first talent and skill tests of ancient times. And our magazine will be there, too, both in Spanish and English, in a new effort to reach the pinnacle of excellency. We'll be there to show attendants to these magnificent world games the very charms of a small country of champions where massive sport practice is the key to success.

This publishing effort would have never been possible without the support of our sponsors, regular customers, collaborators and friends.

Jose Carlos de Santiago

We gratefully thank the following companies and entities: Adidas S.A., Aerocaribbean, Barceló Sol & Mar, BDC, Bucanero S.A., Center of Placental Histotherapy, Cerro Pelado, Cubacel, Club Habana, Cira Garcia Clinic, Camilo Cienfuegos Clinic, Citricos Matanzas, Creaciones Graficas, Cubadeportes S.A., Gaviota, Frank Pais Hospital, Ameijeiras Bros. Hospital, Hotels C, Sports Industry, National Institute of Sports, Physical Education & Recreation, Institute of Sports Medicine, Internacional Cubana del Tabaco, Los Portales S. A., Meliá Cohiba, Mexicana de Aviacion, MINREX, Nobel Tours, Prensa Latina, Teledatos, Travelplan and Superclubs.

Jose Carlos de Santiago