OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Cuba’s Dayron Robles, the 110-meter hurdles world record-holder and Olympic champion, was told by organizers of the Diamond League meet in Shanghai he was not welcome to compete, his coach said Wednesday.
Santiago Antunez said through a translator that Robles received a telephone call before last Sunday’s meet from the organizers, who said they would appreciate it if he didn’t come.
Antunez said the Cuban athletics federation sought an explanation but hasn’t received an answer.
David Oliver of the United States won the race in Shanghai in a season-best 12.99 seconds. Hometown hero and former world record-holder Liu Xiang was third in 13.40.
Robles is in Ostrava to compete in Thursday’s Golden Spike meet.
