It was just one more sign that the United States and Cuba have resumed full diplomatic relations.
They're rowing in the same water.
Several members of Cuba's Olympic Rowing Team are training this week at Nathan Benderson Park in preparation for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. Of course, the U.S. and Cuba resumed full diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015, repairing a relationship that was severed in 1961.
The rowers also hope to return to Nathan Benderson Park in September of 2017 for the World Rowing Championships.
Although the athletes, coaches and trainers haven't spent much time exploring Sarasota and Manatee Counties because they are concentrating on the Olympics, they say Benderson Park is a perfect venue to get them ready for Rio.
"Compared with others, this is fantastic," said Cuban team therapist Alexaed Cabrera through interpreter Steve Carrera of Bradenton.
"These are excellent conditions," said Cuban rower Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez, who will compete with teammate Adrian Oquendo Ibanez in double sculls at the Olympics. "The temperature is hot, that's why we are here."
Single sculls rower Angel Fournier Rodriguez said the temperature actually is a bit hotter than in Cuba and he said the humidity will be similar to what he will be facing in Rio.
"This is going to help us reach our objective," he said.
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Angel Fournier Rodriguez, who was the silver medalist at the 2013 World Championships in single sculls, prepares at Benderson Park for his third Olympic Games.
Adrian Oquendo Ibanez and Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez try to recover after a training run at Nathan Benderson Park on Friday.
Adrian Oquendo Ibanez is a former Cuban baseball player who says rowing is now his life.
Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez and Adrian Oquendo Ibanez churn through the course at Nathan Benderson Park on Friday.
Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez gets iced by Cuban team therapist Alexaed Cabrera after a training run on Friday at Nathan Benderson Park.
Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez and Adrian Oquendo Ibanez work through a training run at Nathan Benderson Park on Friday. They both are making their first trip to the United States this week.
Cuba never has won a rowing medal at the Olympics but the rowers are hoping their training at Nathan Benderson Park will give them an edge at the upcoming Olympics in Rio.
Angel Fournier Rodriguez said Nathan Benderson Park offers tremendous conditions for rowers. He said the Sarasota area is "very tranquil, just what we need."
Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez and Adrian Oquendo Ibanez only have worked together a year, but they are hoping to bring Cuba its first medal in rowing.
Angel Fournier Rodriguez powers through a workout at Nathan Benderson Park. He said he is more prepared physically and mentally for his third shot at the Olympics coming up in August.
Angel Fournier Rodriguez breaks a sweat in the hot, humid conditions Friday at Benderson Park he hopes will prepare him to better his seventh-place finish at the 2012 Summer Olympics in single sculls.
At the end of their practice on Friday at Nathan Benderson Park, the Cuban athletes still have some work to do.
Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez and Adrian Oquendo Ibanez haven't taken time to look around Sarasota and Manatee counties because their concentration is on Olympic gold.
