Santo Domingo.- The Head of Mission of the Dominican delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Ministry of Sports and the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) recognized four meritorious figures this Thursday, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the first medal won by the country at the Olympic Games, won by sprinter Félix Sánchez in Athens 2024.
During the activity held in the Juan Ulises García Saleta hall of the COD and headed by the Minister of Sports, Francisco Camacho; the president of the host institution, Garibaldy Bautista; former president Hipólito Mejía; the head of mission of Paris 2024, Miguel Camacho, as well as the double Olympic gold medalist, Félix Sánchez; César Cedeño, former Minister of Sports and current Consul General of the Dominican Republic in Puerto Rico; in addition to Luisín Mejía, former president of the COD, and president of Centro Caribe Sports.
Prior to the ceremony, a Mass was held to bless the Dominican delegation that will compete in the Paris Olympic Games, and in memory of Nelly Manuel Doné and Luis Elpidio Cumba, who were outstanding sports leaders in the country.
Former President Mejía, who led the nation from 2000 to 2004, received the award for having prioritized and given the necessary support to the celebration of the Santo Domingo 2003 Pan American Games, an event that left behind dozens of first-class sports facilities at the national level, and which served as a basis for the subsequent achievements of Dominican athletes in international events.
Sánchez was honored for being the first Dominican athlete to climb to the top of the podium at the Olympic Games, a fact that occurred during the Athens 2024 Games, where the outstanding specialist in the 400-meter hurdles crossed the finish line first. Eight years later (London 2012) the ‘Super Sánchez’ won the gold medal again in spectacular fashion.
Cedeño, former Minister of Sports, was also among the figures recognized during the ceremony, due to his excellent management at the head of the Ministry of Sports, where he promoted the construction of practical and necessary facilities at a national level (multipurpose), in addition to being the ideologist of offering economic independence to sports federations.
The other award winner was Luisín Mejía, former president of the COD and renowned sports leader, who valued the qualities of all those honored and decided to share the plaque he received with all those who in some way influence the training and preparation of Dominican athletes.
Camacho highlights recognitions
Minister Francisco Camacho highlighted the merits and qualities of the recognized figures and assured that during his party’s governments “Dominican sport and athletes have achieved the greatest successes.”
“It is only fair to recognize these great standard-bearers of sport here, who have undoubtedly paved the way for us to take our sport to another level, but none of this would have been possible without the determined support of President Luis Abinader, who has always insisted that investment in sport is and will continue to be a priority for his Government,” Camacho emphasized.
The central words were given by Miguel Camacho, head of mission of the Dominican delegation, who stated that the support and development of Dominican sports and athletes have been a constant in the executions of the presidents of the ruling party.
“We are confident that our athletes will defend, as they have always done, with dedication, honour and gallantry, our national symbols in this great commitment we have in Paris 2024,” he said.
Thanks
The four recognised figures expressed their gratitude to the Head of Mission, the Ministry of Sports and the COD, agreeing that ensuring the resources invested in sport are not an expense, but a great investment for the future of youth and society.
“Time flies,” said two-time Olympic champion Félix Sánchez after receiving his award.
“First, I thank God for the good fortune of still being here after 20 years, and I thank you for this recognition, which is a satisfaction and an impetus to my dream of one day being able to lead a Dominican athlete from my academy to reach the Olympic podium,” he said.
In addition to the honorees and the hosts, the ceremony was attended by Carolina Mejía, mayor of the National District; Milagros Ortiz Bosch, director of the Presidential Commission on Government Ethics; Junior Noboa, national commissioner of Baseball, and José P. Monegro, president of the Organizing Committee of the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Also present were the Deputy Ministers of Sports, Franklin De la Mota, Leopoldo Portes Soler and Juan Vila, the Miderec official Heida Joaquín Tineo; as well as members of the federation, athletes and coaches.
2024-07-05 09:13:39
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