In the March 4th DR1, I read about the 2003 PanAm games new organization "heads" and then read the article below about the athletes.
I believe the comment stating: " The Dominican Olympic Committee has been counting on medals to be won by Dominican athletes trained abroad, such as Felix Sanchez in the 400 meter hurdles." While I applaud Felix's accomplishments, it is unfair to the local athletes that ARE working so hard here in the DR to be able to be prepared and to compete.
It seems there has NOT been much support nor money given to any of the athletic organizations within the DR. I know for a fact that their are athletes that are in the Equestrian field that are working tremendously hard to be able to represent their country in these games. The DR has NEVER been represented in any equestrian event in the PanAm Games. This is something the people that compete in Equestrian events are ready to do....respresent and medal for their country!
I can give this message board an example of athletes that have exceeded WITHOUT being trained abroad. Why isn't the Dominican Olympic Committee helping to support and counting on these athletes as well?
In 2001 there was an FEI World Jumping Challenge that is performed all over the world, the same course is built and riders from 66 countries compete, in total, there were 435 competitors! The results are tallied and a final result list is published in Feb 2002 on the official FEI website. (to see for yourself: http://www.horsesport.org/
..then go to results, click on FEI World Jumping Challenge, it's towards the bottom, you have to have Adobe to view them) The top 16 competitors are eligible and invited to compete in Germany in July 2002. One of our riders, Hector Florentino is ranked 4th in this competition, therefore eligible to compete in Germany in July. Gabriella Porrello and Juan Jose Bancalari also placed very high, 120 & 121 respectively. It's doubtful that Mr. Florentino will compete in Germany, unless he is able to raise the money for his trip! He is in the process of trying to find sponsors to help fund his trip.
There was never any mention in any of the local papers about this distinguished accomplishment by our local riders. Why is that? How can we expect our athletes to have the desire to compete when they aren't helped financially by their local organizations and given the credit they deserve for their accomplishments?
I applaud any athlete that has been given the opportunity to excel in their field. Let's just not FOGET the ones that are doing it here at home!
I believe the comment stating: " The Dominican Olympic Committee has been counting on medals to be won by Dominican athletes trained abroad, such as Felix Sanchez in the 400 meter hurdles." While I applaud Felix's accomplishments, it is unfair to the local athletes that ARE working so hard here in the DR to be able to be prepared and to compete.
It seems there has NOT been much support nor money given to any of the athletic organizations within the DR. I know for a fact that their are athletes that are in the Equestrian field that are working tremendously hard to be able to represent their country in these games. The DR has NEVER been represented in any equestrian event in the PanAm Games. This is something the people that compete in Equestrian events are ready to do....respresent and medal for their country!
I can give this message board an example of athletes that have exceeded WITHOUT being trained abroad. Why isn't the Dominican Olympic Committee helping to support and counting on these athletes as well?
In 2001 there was an FEI World Jumping Challenge that is performed all over the world, the same course is built and riders from 66 countries compete, in total, there were 435 competitors! The results are tallied and a final result list is published in Feb 2002 on the official FEI website. (to see for yourself: http://www.horsesport.org/
..then go to results, click on FEI World Jumping Challenge, it's towards the bottom, you have to have Adobe to view them) The top 16 competitors are eligible and invited to compete in Germany in July 2002. One of our riders, Hector Florentino is ranked 4th in this competition, therefore eligible to compete in Germany in July. Gabriella Porrello and Juan Jose Bancalari also placed very high, 120 & 121 respectively. It's doubtful that Mr. Florentino will compete in Germany, unless he is able to raise the money for his trip! He is in the process of trying to find sponsors to help fund his trip.
There was never any mention in any of the local papers about this distinguished accomplishment by our local riders. Why is that? How can we expect our athletes to have the desire to compete when they aren't helped financially by their local organizations and given the credit they deserve for their accomplishments?
I applaud any athlete that has been given the opportunity to excel in their field. Let's just not FOGET the ones that are doing it here at home!