U.S. Gets Kayak Gold Medal and a Revolutionary Salute

The United States picked up a gold medal and a salute from Cuban President Fidel Castro on Sunday.

Mike Herbert, of Rogers, Ark., won the kayak 1,000-meter singles, beating Angel Perez of Cuba, who won three gold medals on Saturday. Castro presented Herbert’s gold medal, and delivered a military salute when the American flag was hoisted.

Castro stood at attention in his olive green fatigues, his right hand raised to the bill of his cap, but Herbert didn’t see it.

“I had my eyes on the flag,” said Herbert, a 30-year-old from Rogers, Ark., who beat Cuban Angel Perez by nearly four seconds to win the 1,000-meter single kayak at the Pan American Games.

“It was quite a surprise to see him,” Herbert said. “I don’t speak very good Spanish, but I think he said, ‘Congratulations.’ It was definitely worth coming here for that.”

Castro probably didn’t think he’d be giving out any golds to Americans. Cuba swept all five men’s golds Saturday at 500 meters and looked as if they’d do the same Sunday at the longer distance.

“Spiritually, I am a sportsman,” Castro said. “Physically, I was a sportsman and now I am a fan.”

Herbert had a time of 3:43.81. Perez was the silver medalist at 3:47.54. Peter Giles of Canada took the bronze in 3:56.14.