Cuban sport lamented yesterday the passing of Doctor of Second Degree Sciences Iván Román Suárez, Hero of Labour of the Republic of Cuba.

Román Suárez participated in four Central American and Caribbean Games, five Pan American Games, three World Championships and three Olympic Games, in all cases primarily overseeing refereeing.

His international work included responsibilities such as Head Coach of the Chilean national weightlifting team and Strength Preparation Advisor for the Saudi Arabian team for the 2006 Football World Cup.

He also served as President of the Technical Committee of the Pan American Weightlifting Confederation, and member of the Technical Committee of the International Weightlifting Federation.

He acted as President of the National Tribunal of Doctors of Physical Culture Sciences, and, at the time of his passing, was a member of the Technical Advisory Council of Inder.