There is a very special surge of pride and emotion when a small nation celebrates 'being on the map' as a result of winning an international event.
Felix's victory takes me back to the wild festivities in San Jose, Costa Rica when one of their swimmers, Sylvia Poll, won a silver medal in the Seoul Olympics. Everyone took to the streets and when she returned home with her medal the whole city came to a standstill. Stages and sound-systems were installed in the main avenues and squares. Grungy backpacker that I was, I hadn't been following the Olympic Games, but when this happened there was no choice but to join in the party.
The interesting thing is that similar to Felix Sanchez, Sylvia's Costa Rican credentials were questioned, because her family were Europeans (Swiss?) who had settled in CR when she was a child.
Chiri