In recent years, the Dominican Republic has been positioning itself as a mecca for sports tourism. As part of this path, the Ministry of Sports has pledged its support for the traditional Félix Sánchez Classic, with its fifth edition set to take place on Saturday, 29 March 2025, at the Luguelin Santos Track in the Isaac Ogando Sports Complex, Bayaguana municipality, Monte Plata, a 78 km drive from the capital city.
The athletics meet has the backing of the local Federation of Athletics and the Ministry of Sports.
Felix Sanchez is the Dominican Republic’s only two-time Olympic Games gold medal winner in 400m hurdles (Athens 2004 and London 2012) and Luguelin Santos is the country’s only other medal winner in an Olympic Games (silver in the 200m in the London 2012). Both have continued active in the development of track in the Dominican Republic.
Félix Sánchez in making the announcement of the upcoming races stated: “We are incredibly excited about this upcoming event, where we will witness the great talents from the Dominican Republic and the region shine brightly ahead of the next Olympic cycle and global athletics competitions.”
He announced the confirmed participation of 400m Olympic silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain. Naser is coached by Jose Rubio, who was the coach for Luguelin Santos when he won silver in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Naser was the runner-up to the Dominican Republic’s Olympic gold medallist in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Marileidy Paulino. Paulino had already won a silver medal in the Japan 2021 Olympic Games. Felix Sanchez did not say whether Paulino would compete in the invitational.
Other renowned athletes who have confirmed their participation are Brazilian sprinters Ana C. Azevedo and Vitoria Rosa.
Alexis Peguero, president of the Dominican Athletics Associations Federation (FDAA), explained that over 100 athletes from 15 countries are expected to participate, with the event endorsed by World Athletics and the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC). The competition will commence at 3pm and include events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles, triple jump, shot put, and the 4x400m relay.
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Noticias SIN
Ministry of Sports
13 March 2025