Cuba’s Ace Pitcher Defects To The United States

The star pitcher for the champion Cuban baseball team defected to the United States, jumping the fence at his team’s practice field in Georgia and heading to Cuban-exile haven Miami with a sports agent.

Rolando Arrojo, who led the Cuban team to victory over the U.S. Olympic team in an exhibition game in June, was in Miami on Tuesday night with agent Joe Cubas after escaping from the team Monday night, WLTV-TV reported in Miami.

“It was a very hard decision, but I had to make it to achieve my dream of gaining freedom and playing in the major leagues,” Arrojo told the Miami Herald by telephone from Cubas’ car.

It’s the third recent desertion by a Cuban Olympic athlete. Two boxers are seeking political asylum after defecting last week.

Cubas was in Albany, Ga., and is representing Arrojo, according to WLTV. Cubas, who brought the player to Miami, also represents the two Cuban boxers.

The Spanish-language TV station’s sports editor, Arturo Polo, called Arrojo Cuba’s “No. 1 pitcher.”

Kukoc breaks thumb

Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc, a key to Croatia’s basketball medal hopes in the Atlanta Olympics, broke his left thumb in an exhibition game against Canada.

Kukoc, injured midway through the first half of Croatia’s 82-72 victory in Hamilton, Ontario, is expected to play in the Olympics, Croat head coach Petar Skansi said.

“Maybe we can put something on it,” said Skansi, adding the break was between the knuckle and the tip of the thumb.

Kukoc also was optimistic about playing in Atlanta.

“It’s OK, I’m fine,” said Kukoc, the NBA’s sixth man award winner last season after averaging 13.1 points, 3.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds.

Woman jailed for bilking reporters

A woman accused of taking more than $1 million from reporters to house them during the Olympics was jailed on theft charges after they said she reneged on the deal.

Meanwhile, dozens of reporters from at least seven news agencies are in a race to find rooms before the Summer Games start July 19.

After a hearing in Atlanta Municipal Court, Meggen Mills, 33, of Dallas, was jailed on $100,000 bond. She was arrested Monday night on seven counts of theft by deception after the reporters confronted her at Mayfair Apartments in Atlanta, demanding their money back.

Kenyans ordered to Mississippi

Some Kenyan runners could lose their spots in the Olympics if they do not immediately leave Europe and join their teammates in Hattiesburg, Miss., the country’s top athletic officials said.

Kenyan officials issued the ultimatum to athletes who decided to participate in a series of Grand Prix track meets in Europe rather than joining their teammates.

Greek players disciplined

Members of Greece’s Olympic basketball team were disruptive when they refused to stop smoking on a flight from Athens to New York and had to promise to behave before boarding a flight to Atlanta.

When the Atlanta-bound flight was delayed, the players ran out to the front of the terminal to smoke.