The Cuban delegation in the 2013 World Athletics Championships which ended in Moscow on Sunday was below the expectations.

In the closing day in Luzhniki Olympic stadium, Cuban triple jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo gave the largest joy to the island after winning the silver medal with a jump of 17.68m, below gold medal winner French Teddy Thango (18.04m) and above bronze medal winner Will Claye from the United States (17.52m).

Pichardo's medal was the third one for Cuba in the world championships, after the two bronze medals won by disc thrower Yarelys Barrios and pole vaulter Yarisley Silva.

Silva, Olympic runner-up in London 2012, won her first world championships medal as she cleared 4.82m in her third try.

Both Silva and Pichardo arrived in Moscow with the world season best marks (4.90 m and 17.79 m respectively).

Cuban officials had expected at least six of the 24 Cuban athletes to stand on the podium to improve the island's performance two years ago, when it ended in the 18th position in the medal count with one silver and three bronze medals.

However, Cuba ended in the 23rd position.