CASTRO RECEIVES A GOLD MEDAL, 1999-08-04 (photo)

The Cuban baseball team applauds after Cuban President Fidel Castro received a gold medal won by the Cuban baseball team at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, during a celebration in Matanzas August 4. Left to right are; Omar Linares, Orestes Kindelan and Jose Contreras. Castro, hinting at an easing in Cuba's strained relations with Canada, praised Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy during a marathon speech to the nation for congratulating Cuba's victorious baseball team. The Cuban delegation had to deal with five reported defections during the games - four athletes including pitcher Danyso Baez, and a reporter. RP/JP