The Juan Ulises García Saleta Foundation (Wiche) carried out an activity to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the celebration in the country of XII Games Central American & Caribbean, at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in 1974.
The XII Games They are considered the starting point in Dominican sports and it was celebrated with a solemn ceremony that was attended by the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader Corona, government authorities, athletes, sports authorities and members of the Foundation.
The welcoming words were given by the actress Bernardita García Smester, daughter of Don Wiche, representing the Foundation, highlighting her father’s role in the realization of the multidisciplinary competition in the country and the construction of the Olympic Center, which at the time After its construction it was called Metropolitan Park.
During the development of the activity, images of the XII Games and testimonies of people who were part of the fight to obtain the headquarters and be able to build the COJPD.
A call to preserve the legacy
García Smester called to preserve the integrity of the legacy that the Metropolitan Park has left us, which was the original name of the “Olympic Center”, “that is why the Juan Ulises García Saleta Foundation has as its main objective to disseminate and preserve the legacy of our father, to pay honor to whom honor deserves and preserve this monumental work,” said García Smester in his speech.
“The Metropolitan Park, the name with which it was born, is more than a space, it is a symbol of vision and dedication to the sports and cultural development of our nation,” he added.
García Smester expressed that the preservation in good condition of the COJPD is “a commitment of all”, as was the slogan of the XII Games from ’74.
The entire family involved
Currently the Foundation is made up of Don Wiche’s entire family, and at the time one of its main supports was his wife Carmen Rosa Smester de García, his first secretary, aide-de-camp and translator in the Olympic movement, an important role in the conquest of the headquarters for the Dominican capital of the XII Gamestheir strength and commitment were fundamental in the process.
Mejía Oviedo said a few words
Luis Mejía Oviedo, president of Centro Caribe Sports, said “today a tribute is paid to history, usually history does not receive tributes, because history is based on telling the facts and demonstrating them, but the evidence is notable,” for Mejía Oviedo and many Dominicans in 1974 it was recorded that the organization of Dominican sports emerged, although it was not the first time, but without a doubt 1974 served to begin writing the history of organized sports in the country.
