It highlights that the Dominican delegation achieved the best performance in its history at the Central American and Caribbean Games, setting a record in both the number of gold medals and the total number of medals won, with a haul of 150 medals
Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz announces deposit of RD$77.5 million to reward athletes, coaches, and federated medalists of Santo Domingo 2026
Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader announced this Wednesday that, starting in 2027, all Dominican athletes who won medals at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games will be incorporated into the High-Performance, New Talents, and Immortals Athlete Program (PARNI), whose funds will also be doubled to increase the incentives received by the athletes.
The announcement was made by the president, together with Vice President Raquel Peña, during a lunch offered to the Dominican medalists in the Las Cariátides Hall of the National Palace, where he recognized the performance of the national delegation and highlighted the results achieved during the sporting event.
The ruler highlighted that the Dominican delegation achieved the best performance in its history at the Central American and Caribbean Games, setting a record in both the number of gold medals and the total number of medals won, with a haul of 150 medals.
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The head of state affirmed that the incorporation of the medalists into PARNI and the increase in funds allocated to the program constitute recognition of the effort, discipline, and dedication demonstrated by the Dominican athletes during the two weeks of competition.
Likewise, he indicated that the Government will work together with sports federations and volunteer groups to guarantee the care and maintenance of the sports facilities built and improved for the athletes, considering that they represent an investment made with resources from the Dominican people.
The president explained that volunteering mechanisms will be established to contribute to preserving these spaces, with the purpose of ensuring that athletes can continue training and developing in top-tier sports facilities.
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Recognizes organization of the Games
During his speech, Abinader also acknowledged the work carried out by the Santo Domingo 2026 Organizing Committee and highlighted that, according to the assessments received nationally and internationally, the Games were among the best organized in the history of this regional competition.
The president appreciated that the development of competencies and logistics functioned effectively, which allowed the Dominican Republic to project a good image as a host country.
RD$77.5 million for prizes
The Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, reported that RD$77.5 million were deposited into the account of the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) corresponding to the awards for the medal-winning athletes, coaches, and federations linked to the results obtained in Santo Domingo 2026.
Cruz explained that the award scheme considers the cumulative nature of the medals, so athletes who won more than one medal will receive the corresponding incentive for each one. He cited as an example Liranzo Liranzo Alonso, winner of four gold medals, who will receive RD$1.2 million in prizes.
The president of the Dominican Olympic Committee, Garibaldy Bautista, thanked the Government for its support of the Olympic movement and sports federations, and highlighted that the timely disbursement of resources contributed to the athletes’ preparation. Bautista attributed the historic haul of 150 medals to the joint work of the athletes, the federations, and the Olympic movement, and expressed his hope that this support will continue so that the country can surpass the results achieved in Santo Domingo 2026 by 2030.
The president was accompanied by the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista, and the Minister of Housing and Buildings (MIVHED), Víctor-Ito-Bisonó; the presidents of the Organizing Committee for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, José P. Monegro; of Centro Caribe Sports, Luisín Mejía; and of the Women’s National Volleyball Team Project, Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, as well as representatives of the Olympic movement and sports leaders.
