4 August 2003

Opening weekend of the Games
The Dominican Republic got off to a good start in the Pan Am Games on
Friday, 1 August, pulling off an opening show that received high marks,
especially for the second part of its artistic show and the
technological homerun of young Luis Pujols, who batted a pitch from
Hall of Famer Juan Marichal to light the giant torch for the duration
of the Games. Pujols is a nephew of Albert Pujols, who has batted 30
homeruns for the Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Marichal had
received the torch from a beaming three-time Cy Young winner, Pedro
Martínez who flew in for the show.
Weekend competition brought the DR its first medal, courtesy of Angelo
Mota Brea, who won silver in greco-roman wrestling, losing the gold to
a Cuban competitor. Dominicans also reveled in the victories of the
men’s basketball team, which defeated Mexico (72-66) and Canada
(90-88) in its first two outings. The Dominican baseball team also won
its first game 14-0 against Guatemala. The DR will face the US in
baseball today.
Protocol, accreditations and parking (valet parking at RD$80, later
reduced to RD$60, with no parking near the installations) comprised the
downfalls of the Games.
For results and other information on the Games check out the Pan Am
Games Forum at http://www.dr1.com/forums/
Also see the Pan Am Games web site at http://panamgames2003.com
 

Source: http://dr1.com

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