The Dominican women volleyball team won their first match today in the Athens Olympics vs. the US. They had earlier lost to the teams of Russia (17-25, 13-25, 16-25) and China (20-25, 16-25, 16-25), two of the world’s toughest. They defeated the US team 26-24, 22-25, 27-25, 23-25 and 19-17 in a 2 hour and 12 minute game.
Next they play Cuba and Germany. Team coach Jose Garbey had said that the goal of the Dominican team, gold medalist in the Pan American Games, ?is to prove that we are worthy of being in the Olympics.?
Another Dominican team member to watch is Lin Ju, who has won his first four matches in table tennis. Today he goes against No. 4 ranked world table tennis player, Hao Wang. Lin Ju is ranked 137th in the world. He is still a contender for a medal in the Olympics.
El Caribe newspaper reports that boxer Juan Carlos Payano saved face for Dominican boxers, defeating a Bielrussian in the 51 kilogram category.
To follow Dominican athletes in the Olympics, see
http://www.athens2004.com