- Title: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 5TH DAY HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAN AMERICAN GAMES.
- Date: 6th August 2003
- Summary: SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (AUGUST 06, 2003) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF CITY SIGN ON BRIDGE ANNOUNCING XIV PAN AMERICAN GAMES FANS PLAYING MUSIC
- Embargoed: 21st August 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Topics: General,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA3EKMFAI6LMV10ZWSOU8BZUUOH
- Story Text: Athletes from the Dominican Republic made their hometown fans proud on the fifth day of competition at the XIV Pan American Games.
World champion Felix Sanchez, who represents the Dominican Republic but has never run there before, brought the Pan American Games hosts their first gold on Wednesday when he won the 400 metres hurdles.
Santo Domingo's Olympic stadium was packed to its 30,000 capacity to see the 26-year-old, who was raised in the United States and became a national hero in the Dominican Republic when he won the world championship at Edmonton two years ago.
Sanchez was quick off the mark, took the lead after the sixth hurdle and held off a challenge from Eric Thomas of the United States to win with a Games record time of 48.19.
He was presented his gold medal by Dominican Republic president Hipolito Mejia, who was jeered when his name was announced.
In other races, the United States dominated the 100-metres winning gold and silver in both the men's and women's events.
Canada won the men's 800-meters with Brazil taking the silver and bronze.
Mexico landed gold in the first race of the day with Victoria Palacios crossing the finish line in the women's 20k walk in 1:35:16. Mexico also took the silver in that race with Rosario Sanchez coming in just five seconds later. The United States Joanne Dow won the bronze.
On the first day of the diving competition Brazil's Juliana Veloso won silver in the women's 10-metre platform.
Canada captured both gold and bronze in that competition.
Former world number one tennis player Marcelo Rios and fellow Chilean Adrian Garcia easily beat Kenny Callender and John Richards of the U.S. Virgin Islands 6-1, 6-2 in men's doubles.
Rios has denied rumors he will retire after playing in these XIV Pan American Games.
In soccer, Colombia won over Cuba 1-0 with a Jaime Castrillon goal in the 42nd minute.
Before a packed stadium, Brazil captured gold in men's basketball after beating hometown favorites Dominican Republic 89-62.
The XIV Pan American Games run through August 17th.
More than 5-thousand athletes from 42 countries are expected to attend.
Medals table at the end of the fifth day of the Pan American Games on Wednesday.
United States 27 17 18 62
Cuba 22 11 9 42
Canada 5 9 5 19
Mexico 4 6 3 13
Brazil 2 8 9 19
Venezuela 1 6 9 16
Puerto Rico 1 2 5 8
Dominican Republic 1 2 0 3
Argentina 1 1 1 3
Peru 1 0 1 2
Ecuador 1 0 0 1
Surinam 1 0 0 1
Colombia 0 2 7 9
Chile 0 1 1 2
Jamaica 0 1 1 2
Bahamas 0 1 0 1
Guatemala 0 1 0 1
Barbados 0 0 1 1
Guyana 0 0 1 1
Panama 0 0 1 1
Trinidad 0 0 1 1 - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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