Central American and Caribbean Games XII: "The Commitment is for Everyone"

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Central American and Caribbean Games XII: “The Commitment is for Everyone”

Nov 30, 2024

Dominican Sports Transformed with the Arrival of the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games

The Dominican Republic experienced a transformative moment in sports with the arrival of the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1974. Amidst a time of social instability, the country hosted a 14-day sporting celebration featuring 23 nations.

Delegations began arriving on February 23 to the land of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella, bringing their enthusiasm and determination to soar to great heights.

Despite the challenges of the era, air travel was the preferred option for many countries. Delegations from Colombia, El Salvador, the Virgin Islands, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Honduras, Guatemala, the Netherlands Antilles, Guyana, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Mexico, and Puerto Rico landed at Las Américas Airport.

Haiti, Costa Rica, and Suriname were the last delegations to join the regional competition.

On February 27, starting at 4:00 p.m., participants paraded in their uniforms, proudly bearing their flags. The Central American and Caribbean cultural showcase began in Santo Domingo. The audience also dressed for the occasion, with around 30,000 people attending the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center to witness the grand spectacle.

Cuba dominated the games, earning a total of 191 medals, 101 of which were gold. Baseball, gymnastics, weightlifting, boxing, and athletics were among the disciplines that caused “La Bayamesa” to play repeatedly at various venues during the event.

Mexico with 82, Venezuela with 55, Puerto Rico with 69, and Colombia with 44 were not far behind, becoming four of the five countries to surpass 30 medals or more.

Costa Rica, the Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands, and Belize each secured a gold medal. Notably, these were the first-ever gold medals for the Virgin Islands and Belize.

Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, and Suriname also earned distinctions, though they did not achieve the glory of a gold medal.

Athletes Who Made History

Mirian Villacián, known as “the little Cuban blonde,” is one of those unforgettable figures. Her talent shone brilliantly during the event, showcasing extraordinary skills in gymnastics. She achieved the highest honors in the all-around individual scoring, won gold in the uneven bars, and claimed silver in vault and floor exercises.

Cuban athletes Carmen Valdez, nicknamed “the little Cuban,” Aurelia Penton, and Mexican runner Bradley Charlotte brought the crowd to its feet at the Olympic Stadium. All three set Central American records in the finals of their respective events: 200m, 400m, and 800m.

Valdez won gold in the 100-meter dash, setting a new Central American record with a time of 11.55 seconds. Penton broke the Central American record in the 400 meters with a time of 52.27 seconds, earning the gold medal. Meanwhile, Charlotte achieved a time of 2:04.5 minutes, setting a new Central American record and securing gold in an electrifying final against Aurelia Penton.

Colombian athlete Víctor Mora also left his mark, showcasing remarkable endurance in the 5,000-meter final. He completed the Olympic track in 13:54.2 minutes, setting a new Central American and Caribbean record.

Baseball, Swimming, and Historic Performances Define the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games

Baseball found its batting king in Rodolfo Puente of Cuba, who achieved an impressive .500 batting average.

In men’s swimming, Mexico made history by claiming 11 gold medals, a remarkable achievement for a nation previously considered uncompetitive in the sport.

On the women’s side, Ileana Morales emerged as the star of the pool. Like a fish in water, the Venezuelan swimmer dominated her rivals, taking first place in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle events, as well as the 200m butterfly.

Maria del Milagro Paris, small in stature but mighty in heart, conquered three events (100m and 200m backstroke, and 200m butterfly), also winning two silver medals and a bronze. She set records and, more importantly, captured the hearts of the audience.

Belize’s women’s softball team turned heads with their stellar performance, achieving nine victories out of ten and securing a historic gold medal. Pitcher Linda Lewis was instrumental in leading the team to this Central American triumph.

In weightlifting, Fernando Bernal stood out by breaking records with a biathlon total of 355 kilograms. He took home three gold medals, shattering the benchmarks he had set four years earlier in Panama 1970.

Amaury Cordero brought pride to the Dominican Republic as the only Dominican athlete to win a gold medal, claiming victory in the 145kg weightlifting competition.

A Lasting Legacy

The year 1974 left an indelible mark on Caribbean sports, symbolizing a warm embrace of elite competition by the Dominican people. The Games represented a turning point in infrastructure and competitiveness for the nation, known affectionately as “Quisqueya la Bella.”

Fourteen days of stories and authentic moments created a legacy that sports will never forget. The XII Central American and Caribbean Games were filled with unity and triumph, leaving a permanent impression on the Caribbean region, thanks to the participation of 23 delegations under the auspices of ODECABE (now Centro Caribe Sports).

Juan Ulises García Saleta, affectionately known as “Wiche,” was a key figure in organizing the games, revolutionizing Dominican sports. Described as “the father of Dominican Olympism” by Américo Celado, president of the Santo Domingo Sports Writers Association, García Saleta’s contributions cannot be overstated.

The Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center served as the event’s main venue, accompanied by other iconic locations, including Club Naco, Quisqueya Stadium, Estrella Sadhala Stadium, Armed Forces Officers’ Club, the Fine Arts Theater, the February 27 Camp Shooting Range, Club Náutico de Andrés, Eugenio María de Hostos Auditorium, and San Vicente de Paul Gymnasium.

The games concluded on March 13, 1974, with a packed Olympic Stadium filled with athletes and spectators, uniting to bid farewell to the XII Central American and Caribbean Games. These games truly demonstrated that “the commitment is for everyone.”

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