NewsWhore
08-15-2012, 03:20 PM
Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 14 August, President Leonel Fernandez handed over symbolic checks to Olympic medalists Felix Sanchez and Luguelin Santos at the Presidential Palace. Sports Minister Felipe (Jay) Payano said the money has been deposited in the Federation of Athletics bank account.
Sanchez was awarded RD$10 million for his gold medal at the London Olympics, while Santos, who won silver, received RD$6 million. Jose Rubio, Luguelin's trainer, received RD$1 million and Athletics Federation president Gerardo Suero Correa received another RD$1 million.
Amongst smiles and jokes, the President highlighted the work of the delegation that represented the country at the London Olympics and expressed his pride in what they had achieved. He commented that Sanchez had won a gold medal just after he (Fernandez) took office in 2004, at the Athens Olympics, and another days before he leaves office.
Fernandez joked that he had invited Sanchez to dinner in London, but the athlete had turned it down because he needed to train for the competition, and said that Sanchez should now invite him to dinner with the RD$10 million that he had received from the government.
He also joked that Sanchez had violated the Constitution because he monopolized everyone's attention when performing in the 400m hurdles in the Olympics.
Speaking about Luguelin Santos, the President said he had spent a lot of time trying to learn his name, and that he looked like a movie star, and would have to improve his security to avoid being mobbed by women.
The President said he was proud of all the athletes, mentioning the women's volleyball team, and Yamilet Pena and Gabriel Mercedes, expressing hope that the latter would recover from his injury and continue making the Dominican Republic proud.
The event was held in the Green Room at the Presidential Palace, attended by the athletes and their trainers. The President was accompanied by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Luis Manuel Bonetti, Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) president Luisin Mejia and Sports Minister Felipe (Jay) Payano.
www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2012/8/14/243560/Fernandez-recibe-a-medallistas-olimpicos-y-les-entrega-incentivo (http://www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2012/8/14/243560/Fernandez-recibe-a-medallistas-olimpicos-y-les-entrega-incentivo)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
Sanchez was awarded RD$10 million for his gold medal at the London Olympics, while Santos, who won silver, received RD$6 million. Jose Rubio, Luguelin's trainer, received RD$1 million and Athletics Federation president Gerardo Suero Correa received another RD$1 million.
Amongst smiles and jokes, the President highlighted the work of the delegation that represented the country at the London Olympics and expressed his pride in what they had achieved. He commented that Sanchez had won a gold medal just after he (Fernandez) took office in 2004, at the Athens Olympics, and another days before he leaves office.
Fernandez joked that he had invited Sanchez to dinner in London, but the athlete had turned it down because he needed to train for the competition, and said that Sanchez should now invite him to dinner with the RD$10 million that he had received from the government.
He also joked that Sanchez had violated the Constitution because he monopolized everyone's attention when performing in the 400m hurdles in the Olympics.
Speaking about Luguelin Santos, the President said he had spent a lot of time trying to learn his name, and that he looked like a movie star, and would have to improve his security to avoid being mobbed by women.
The President said he was proud of all the athletes, mentioning the women's volleyball team, and Yamilet Pena and Gabriel Mercedes, expressing hope that the latter would recover from his injury and continue making the Dominican Republic proud.
The event was held in the Green Room at the Presidential Palace, attended by the athletes and their trainers. The President was accompanied by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Luis Manuel Bonetti, Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) president Luisin Mejia and Sports Minister Felipe (Jay) Payano.
www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2012/8/14/243560/Fernandez-recibe-a-medallistas-olimpicos-y-les-entrega-incentivo (http://www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2012/8/14/243560/Fernandez-recibe-a-medallistas-olimpicos-y-les-entrega-incentivo)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)