“Este es un encuentro para darle la bienvenida a su casa del deporte, lugar destinado para los que se destacaron como atletas y propulsores,” said Juan Piñao Ortiz.
Athletes and sports figures heading into the 60th ceremonial induction of the Pabellón de la Fama del Deporte Dominicano attended a welcome gathering organized by the Veterans Committee and the Permanent Committee of the Hall of Fame, Hoy Digital reported.
Ortiz, speaking for the veterans committee, thanked the incoming immortals for their attendance and highlighted their athletic achievements and character both on and off the field during their competitive careers.
The gathering at the start of the weekend events was dedicated to karate athlete María Dimitrova and brought together inductees, including several who traveled from abroad to attend.
The formal induction ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. local time on Sunday inside the Pabellón hall at the Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte (COJPD), according to schedule details outlined by organizers.
Garibaldy Bautista, president of the Comité Olímpico Dominicano (COD), addressed attendees during the opening events leading up to Sunday’s program.
The 2024 induction class spans multiple disciplines, honoring retired competitors and long-serving sports promoters.
The roster of athletes entering the Hall of Fame covers sports ranging from combat disciplines to team sports and water events.
The athlete class features María García for judo, Raúl Aguayo for sailing, Roberto Brito for table tennis, Juan Ubaldo Cabrera for boxing, Mariano Reyes for track and field, and Yuderqui Contreras for weightlifting.
Rounding out the athlete selections are Winston Royal for basketball and Euclides Solano for softball.
Professional baseball inductees include Darío Veras, Rafael Soriano, Alex Rodríguez, and posthumous honorees Ricardo Joseph and Johnny Olivo.
Promoters entering the hall are Ramón Reyes (Cuqui), Andrés Vander Horts, Agustín Brea, Luisín Mejía, Julio Cross, Víctor Pascual, and posthumous selections Domingo Saint Hilaire, Héctor Báez, and Félix Ogando (Gallego).
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