SANTO DOMINGO.- The Juan Ulises García Saleta Foundation (Wiche) will celebrate on November 28, at 4:00 pm, the 50th anniversary of the realization in the country of the XII Central American and Caribbean Games, that were carried out in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in 1974.
The figure of Wiche García Saleta will be the center of this commemorative event, since his vision and effort were fundamental for the Dominican Republic to host the XII Central American and Caribbean Games in 1974.
Through his tireless work, he not only managed to obtain the headquarters for the country, but also led the construction of the Olympic Center, an infrastructure that continues to be the heart of national sport.
Wiche fought for years to obtain the necessary resources and support to materialize this monumental work, facing numerous difficulties and resistance. His perseverance and passion transformed the Dominican sports scene and positioned the country as a benchmark in the international arena. Today, half a century later, the Olympic Center continues to be the symbol of that collective commitment and the driving force of thousands of young athletes who find there their platform for development and success.
The construction of the Olympic Center, under the leadership by Juan Ulises García Saleta, continues to be a fundamental legacy for the development of sport in the country.
Participation of President Luis Abinader
The ceremony will feature the participation of the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kelvin Cruz, as well as other government and sports authorities, including Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Luisín Mejía member of the International Olympic Committee and president of Centro Caribe Sport, and José Joaquín Puello Ad-vitan president of the Olympic Committee Dominican.
An especially emotional moment will be the presence of medalist athletes from those Games, who will receive recognition for their outstanding participation in disciplines such as judo, boxing, athletics and basketball, among others.
Special interventions
The event will include a serie of interventions by authorities and sports personalities, such as Father Víctor Masalles, the brothers Bernardita and Juan Antonio García Smester, representing the Wiche García Saleta Foundation, Doña Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Leo Corporán, Luisín Mejía, Garibaldi Bautista and José Joaquín Puello . During the ceremony, a fragment of a documentary will be shown that covers the history of the creation of the Olympic Center and the most emblematic moments of the XII Games, illustrating the titanic effort behind these achievements.
One of the most symbolic moments will be the lighting of the cauldron, by Alberto Torres, son of the historic sprinter Alberto Torres, who, 50 years ago, lit this same flame to open the XII Games. Alberto Torres was also the first Dominican athlete to represent the country in the Olympic Games. This gesture will commemorate the pride and legacy that continues to be cultivated today.
A call to preserve the legacy
The celebration It is not only a tribute to the achievements made 50 years ago, but also a reminder of the importance of preserving this legacy for future generations. generations.
With this celebration, a call is made to all Dominicans to recognize and value history, to continue growing together as a nation and to continue promoting sport as a tool of development and unity.
The wish is this Thursday, November 28 at the Olympic Center, Plaza Wiche García Saleta, to remember and pay tribute to the athletes who with so much gallantry participated in the XII Games and a man who changed the history of the sport in the Dominican Republic.
