Cuban ex runner Alberto Juantorena was today elected as vice president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the body in Congress held in Beijing, China's capital.

In the overall count Juantorena was only surpassed by Sergei Bubka (187 votes), that being defeated in his fight for the presidency by the British Sebastian Coe was re-elected as vice president, Qatari Dahlan Al Ahmad (159) and the Cameroonian Hamad Kalkaba Malboum (115), reported Prensa Latina News Agency .

Juantorena, who was until now a member of the IAAF Council, received 111 votes in favor of his proposal.

Olympic gold in 400 and 800 meters at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976, called "Elegant tracks" was the only Latin American who rose from post to the IAAF, as the Colombian Ramiro Varela, who chose to be one of the 21 members of the Council, the governing body, was not elected.

It is a privilege to work with Sebastian Coe. It was me who broke the record of 800 meters in 1979. Two candidates where it is very difficult to select one. Bubka is my brother, a person who has the ability to be elected as well, but Congress decided it was Sebastian Coe. I'll work on body and soul, shoulder to shoulder with him, to fulfill the great responsibility that has been given me, said Cuban 60 years.

Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it will try to match work to the responsibility that has fallen to him.

It really is a recognition of the world of athletics. Not to me but to the family of Cuban athletes, that has put the Athletics Cuba held high, with a very big responsibility. First because it is not me, it is working towards and in favor of world athletics, he said.

The also president of the Cuban Athletics Federation, also stressed the importance of working for becoming widespread of this sport specialty, and practice in schools.

I am very happy for the choice of Juantorena. It is well deserved and we work pretty for him, said the Colombian Varela, who said he would have liked to enter the Council, but "this is a process and an aspiration."

The fact that Juantorena is vice president will help us too. We have supported and we hope that he will now support us down here, said the head of the Venezuelan Federation, Wilfredys Leon.