2003 Pan American Games

The Pan American Games were held from August 1 to 17, 2003 in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). The successful bid was launched mid-1990s, when the country had one of the highest growth rates in Latin America.

At the games attended all 42 member associations of PASO. Were registered 6,748 athletes and 2,425 more coaches and officials. Most athletes seconded the USA with 713 participants, the least Saint Lucia with six assets.

Sports

During the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo competitions were held in 37 sports. That's more than the Olympics.

  • Athletics (24 /23)
  • Badminton ( 2/2/1 ) (Details )
  • Basketball ( 1/1)
  • Handball ( 1/1)
  • Baseball ( 1/0)
  • Bowling ( 2/2)
  • Boxes ( 11/0 )
  • Canoe ( 9/3 )
  • Cycling:   BMX ( 1/1)
  • Mountain biking ( 1/1)
  • Track cycling (7/3 )
  • Bicycle Race ( 2/2)
  • Dressage ( 0/0/2 )
  • Eventing ( 0/0/2 )
  • Jumping ( 0/0/2 )
  • Gymnastics ( 8/6)
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics ( 0/8)
  • Trampoline ( 1/1)
  • Weightlifting (8/ 7)
  • Hockey ( 1/1)
  • Youth ( 7/7)
  • Karate ( 6/3)
  • Wrestling   Rings in Greco-Roman wrestling (7/ 0)
  • Freestyle wrestling (7/ 0)
  • Woman rings ( 0/4)

Highlights

Opening Ceremony

The games were opened in the new Olympic stadium before 18,000 spectators. Some 10,000 performers led a program, some of whom were dressed in costumes that ranged in Tuxedoes and cylinder of Skeleton up to men who are typical of the carnival in the Dominikan Republic.

The local baseball stars Juan Marichal and Pedro Martinez were involved in the Zero Minie. They completed the final round of the torch. Together with Luis Pujols, the nephew of the same name coach of the San Francisco Giants, who was dressed in a Dominican baseball jersey, they swung a bat against a baseball that was sitting on top of the mini flame that ignited the flame shell.

The Zero Mine was also attended by the President of the Dominican Republic, Hipolito Mejia, president of the Pan American Sports Association, Mario Vázquez Raña, and the New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Budget and sports venues

The Dominican Republic was composed of at least t 175 million U.S. $ for the seventeen -day sporting event. Two Olympic villages were built and workers were forced due to construction delays, power outages and questionable sporting venues to work until the opening ceremony it. Ultimately renovated the Dominican Republic existing sports facilities and built new.

Although there were some logistical incidents ( a team was in the Olympic Village was from lack of water not shower, other teams were missing tennis balls or towels ) commented on the U.S. team boss Roland Betts: " At times it was a great fight, but we were very excited and proud when we saw the sports venues. I believe that these sports venues were just as good or better than any others that have been previously created for the Pan American Games. " ( " At times It has been a great struggle, but we are very excited and proud to see the venues. I believe synthesis venues are as good as or better than any thathave been created for the Pan American Games. " ) the other party agreed that the logistical and construction problems during the games dropped sharply.

Controversy and local reactions

Numerous demonstrations were held to draw attention to the austerity measures, including import taxes and spending cuts and neglect of the impoverished regions During the Games, the protests were banished from the city. However, the Dominicans took to the game with pride and warmth, especially when local Stars excelled as did Félix Sánchez, who won the gold medal in the 400 meter hurdles and the Pan-American record broke.

While they praised the first-class sports venues, critics complained the high cost overruns, the exuberant remuneration of the organizers and concerns over the ability of the Dominican Republic to entertain the venues after the Games.

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