Pan American gold medalist, high jumper Juana Arrendel, told El Caribe she is only waiting for the military games’ competitions to be completed (she receives wages as a military officer), to leave the Dominican Republic for a destination where she can train in peace. Her gold medal in the Santo Domingo 2003 Pan American Games last summer won her a spot to compete in the Athens Olympics this summer. <\/p>\n
Arrendel says she wants to leave because she can’t take the local disputes anymore. She has been affected by the bickering between Domingo Cuevas, technical secretary of the Dominican Track & Field Federation, and the Federation’s president, Andres Polimar, over the organization’s use of funds. As a result of the conflict, track & field coaches have not been paid in five months, including Arrendel’s own trainer, Natalia Korotaeva of Russia. “I am supposed to be an athlete seeking a medal in the Olympic Games. Just months before the competition there is a problem of funds that affects my coach, Natalia Korotaeva, and the other technicians who work with the other athletes,” she explained.<\/p>\n
“Right now, I don’t care where I go. It could be Russia, Puerto Rico, or the United States.” <\/p>\n
Domingo Cuevas brushed off the problem. “The athletes are letting themselves be manipulated by some of the coaches, among them Natalia Korotaeva. They should continue practicing while the problem is being resolved,” he said. <\/p>\n
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Pan American gold medalist, high jumper Juana Arrendel, told El Caribe she is only waiting for the military games’ competitions to be completed (she receives wages as a military officer), to leave the Dominican Republic for a destination where she can train in peace. Her gold medal in the Santo Domingo 2003 Pan American Games … <\/p>\n