Santo Domingo.– The First Lady of the Republic, Raquel Arbaje, expressed her admiration for the performance of Marileidy Paulino, who won the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter dash at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, asserting that the sprinter has become a symbol of pride for the entire nation.
After the competition, held under heavy rain at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, Arbaje highlighted the impact Paulino has beyond the track. “This excitement, who would want to miss it? She runs for an entire country,” the first lady expressed to the media at the conclusion of the race.
Furthermore, Arbaje, soaked from head to toe, highlighted that the public’s support for Paulino is a reflection of the affection and admiration she has earned thanks to her discipline, effort, and results in major international competitions.
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Likewise, he valued the atmosphere of enthusiasm and unity experienced during the athletics day and recognized the work carried out by the volunteers, the Organizing Committee, and the institutions involved in the development of the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Record-breaking gold for history
Marileidy Paulino won the gold medal by stopping the clock at 48.94 seconds, setting a new Central American and Caribbean Games record and surpassing the 49.19 seconds mark she had set herself in San Salvador 2023.
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The silver medal went to the Cuban Roxana Gómez, with a time of 49.99 seconds, while the bronze went to Shafiqua Maloney, from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who recorded 51.77 seconds.
With this victory, Paulino adds her second gold medal at Santo Domingo 2026, after being part of the Dominican team that took first place in the 4×400 meter mixed relay, consolidating herself as one of the main figures of the national delegation and one of the most outstanding athletes on the continent.
