A headline in Hoy newspaper’s sports section says that former Minister of Sports Juan Marichal opposes Santo Domingo hosting the games. Marichal was one of the main supporters when the Dominican Olympic Committee sought the seat of the event in 1998. Now the legendary US baseball Hall of Fame pitcher says that he gave the Games his support because he was told they would cost RD$745 million, not the RD$1,575 million organizers are now talking about. Marichal told the newspaper the money would be better put to use building the aqueduct of the Northwest. The final word on whether the DR hosts the games in 2003 or not will be given on 19 January in Panama. There members of the Pan American Sports Organization will vote on the DR maintaining the site. Meanwhile, president of the organizing committee, José Joaquín Puello announces Dominican builders have accepted the responsibility for the construction of the athletes’ village. He also recently announced President Mejía has promised an allotment of RD$365 million in next year’s national budget for the necessary preparations.
