2010 Central American Games
Encyclopedia
The IX Central American Games
was a multi-sport event
that took place between 9 and 19 April 2010. The competition featured 23 sports which were contested at various venues, with Panama
acting as the primary host country and El Salvador
playing a supporting role.
in December 2009, but was cancelled due to the 2009 Honduran political crisis
, and a second delay occurred at the request of Panama (one of the replacement host countries), who could not keep to the agreed 2–14 March programme due to delays in the renovation of the Estadio Rommel Fernández
(where the athletics events were due to be held).
On top of this, in November 2009, El Salvador ruled out the possibility of four sporting events (skating
, archery
, squash
and bodybuilding
) as a result of economic problems caused by the extensive flooding
in the country that month. Nevertheless, on 10 January 2010, Melitón Sánchez, the president of the Organización Deportiva Centroamericana (ORDECA), announced that the events would go ahead as originally planned.
However, the change of the games schedule led the Union Centroamericana de Futbol
(the Central American Union for association football) to instruct its member associations not to compete at the event, as it clashed with the more prestigious XXI Central American and Caribbean Games. Following the news, Guatemala
– also previously designated as a supporting host country – pulled out of the event in protest of the decision to postpone the games until April. In reaction to this, El Salvador
, through the Instituto Nacional de los Deportes de El Salvador, announced that it too would withdraw, although its Olympic Committee reversed the decision.
In agreement with the games organisation committee, Panama decided to hold eight of the sports which were initially set to take place in Guatemala. The games' events began on 6 April. The Salvadorian delegation topped the medal table, taking its third victory in the competition's history.
, who emphasised in his speech that this was the first time the event would take place in the country. The duty of lighting the flame for the games was given to the former boxer Roberto Durán
, whose role was preceded by a torch relay by César Barría, Ramiro Mendoza
, Davis Peralta and Eileen Coparropa
.
The games were closed by the presidential minister of Panama Demetrio Papadimitriu. In addition, a thank-you speech was given by the president of the organising committee, Edwin Cabrera. The ceremony was brought to a close by a musical spectacle delivered by Margarita Henríquez
.
, basketball
, boxing
, cycling
, equestrian
, gymnastics
, handball
, judo
, karate
, racquetball
, softball
, swimming
, table tennis
, taekwondo
, triathlon
, volleyball
, weightlifting and wrestling
,.
, Guatemala and El Salvador voted against the decision to delay the event for a second time.
Eduardo Palomo, the president of the Salvadorian Olympic Committee, said that the change would complicate other international commitments that the country's athletes had. Adding to this, the president of the Costa Rica Olympic Committee (Henry Núñez) also asserted that the change of the schedule posed a problem for its sportsmen and women. Acting in its behalf, the Guatemalan Olympic Committee declined its role as a host country and withdrew its participants from the games at the Guatemalan sports federations and athlete did not agree with ORDECA's decision to postpone the competition.
Central American Games
The Central American Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America.-Editions:- References :*...
was a multi-sport event
Multi-sport event
A multi-sport event is an organized sporting event, often held over multiple days, featuring competition in many different sports between organized teams of athletes from nation-states. The first major, modern, multi-sport event of international significance was the modern Olympic Games.Many...
that took place between 9 and 19 April 2010. The competition featured 23 sports which were contested at various venues, with Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
acting as the primary host country and El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
playing a supporting role.
Preparation
The event was delayed twice: it was first set to take place in San Pedro SulaSan Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula is a city in Honduras. It is located in the northwest corner of the country, in the Valle de Sula , about 60 km south of Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean. With an estimated population of 638,259 people in the main municipality, and 802,598 in its metro area , it is the second...
in December 2009, but was cancelled due to the 2009 Honduran political crisis
2009 Honduran constitutional crisis
The 2009 Honduran constitutional crisis was a political dispute over plans to rewrite the Constitution of Honduras, which culminated in a coup d'état against Honduran President Manuel Zelaya by the Honduran military...
, and a second delay occurred at the request of Panama (one of the replacement host countries), who could not keep to the agreed 2–14 March programme due to delays in the renovation of the Estadio Rommel Fernández
Estadio Rommel Fernandez
Estadio Rommel Fernández is a multi-purpose stadium located in Panama City, It is used for different sports, and mainly for the conduct of games football. It was inaugurated February 6 of 1970. It was designed to accommodate the XI Central American and Caribbean Games in 1970...
(where the athletics events were due to be held).
On top of this, in November 2009, El Salvador ruled out the possibility of four sporting events (skating
Skating
Skating may refer to:*Freestyle slalom skating*Ice skating and various sub-forms:**Figure skating**Speed skating**Tour skating*Inline skating and sub-forms:**Aggressive inline skating**Inline speed skating*Road skating*Roller skating...
, archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
) as a result of economic problems caused by the extensive flooding
2009 El Salvador floods and mudslides
The 2009 El Salvador floods and mudslides were extreme weather events that killed 199 people with others 76 missing and left $239 million in damages in El Salvador, some unofficial sources have the death toll up to 275 people....
in the country that month. Nevertheless, on 10 January 2010, Melitón Sánchez, the president of the Organización Deportiva Centroamericana (ORDECA), announced that the events would go ahead as originally planned.
However, the change of the games schedule led the Union Centroamericana de Futbol
Union Centroamericana de Fútbol
The Unión Centroamericana de Fútbol , more commonly known by the acronym UNCAF, represents the national football teams of Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama...
(the Central American Union for association football) to instruct its member associations not to compete at the event, as it clashed with the more prestigious XXI Central American and Caribbean Games. Following the news, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
– also previously designated as a supporting host country – pulled out of the event in protest of the decision to postpone the games until April. In reaction to this, El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, through the Instituto Nacional de los Deportes de El Salvador, announced that it too would withdraw, although its Olympic Committee reversed the decision.
In agreement with the games organisation committee, Panama decided to hold eight of the sports which were initially set to take place in Guatemala. The games' events began on 6 April. The Salvadorian delegation topped the medal table, taking its third victory in the competition's history.
Opening and closing ceremonies
The games were inaugurated by the President of Panama, Ricardo MartinelliRicardo Martinelli
Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal is a Panamanian politician and businessman who was elected the 49th President of Panama in 2009. He is a Panamanian of Italian descent from his father's side.- Early life :...
, who emphasised in his speech that this was the first time the event would take place in the country. The duty of lighting the flame for the games was given to the former boxer Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán Samaniego is a retired professional boxer from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. A versatile brawler in the ring, he was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra" during his career....
, whose role was preceded by a torch relay by César Barría, Ramiro Mendoza
Ramiro Mendoza
Ramiro Mendoza , nicknamed "El Brujo" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Mendoza played with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed. Although Mendoza made 62 starts in his major league career, he was primarily known as a middle relief pitcher...
, Davis Peralta and Eileen Coparropa
Eileen Coparropa
Eileen Mary Coparropa Alemán is a female freestyle swimmer from Panama, who won a silver and a bronze medal in the women's 50m freestyle event at the Pan American Games. Nicknamed "La Sirena de Oro" she represented her native country at three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in...
.
The games were closed by the presidential minister of Panama Demetrio Papadimitriu. In addition, a thank-you speech was given by the president of the organising committee, Edwin Cabrera. The ceremony was brought to a close by a musical spectacle delivered by Margarita Henríquez
Margarita Henríquez
Margarita Henríquez is the winner of the third season of Latin American Idol which she won on October 9, 2008.- Biography :...
.
Venues
: athletics, baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
, judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, triathlon
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, weightlifting and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
,.
- fencingFencingFencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, bodybuildingBodybuildingBodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
, rowingRowing (sport)Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
, and archeryArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
.
- Sports not held due to the withdrawal of Guatemala as hosts: chessChessChess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, badmintonBadmintonBadminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, modern pentathlonModern pentathlonThe modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
and shootingShooting sportsA shooting sport is a competitive sport involving tests of proficiency using various types of guns such as firearms and airguns . Hunting is also a shooting sport, and indeed shooting live pigeons was an Olympic event...
.
- Sports not held due to a lack of participation and/or economic problems: bowlsBowlsBowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
, field hockeyField hockeyField Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, frontenisFrontenisFrontenis is a Basque pelota speciality that is played in a 30 meters pelota court using rackets...
, skatingSkatingSkating may refer to:*Freestyle slalom skating*Ice skating and various sub-forms:**Figure skating**Speed skating**Tour skating*Inline skating and sub-forms:**Aggressive inline skating**Inline speed skating*Road skating*Roller skating...
, squashSquash (sport)Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
.
Sports
BodybuildingBodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
Games highlights
- Panamanian wrestler Leonardo González won his fifth consecutive gold medalGold medalA gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
fo the Central American GamesCentral American GamesThe Central American Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America.-Editions:- References :*...
. - The NicaraguaNicaraguaNicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
n men's basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team took its first gold medal in the history of the regional event. - Until 16 April, Panamanian athlete Andrea Ferris held the world's leading time for the season through her victory in the women's 800 metres800 metresThe 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
run (2 minutes and 2.52 seconds). Ferris also succeeded in taking the gold medals in the 1500 metres1500 metresThe 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
and 3000 m steeplechase. - Rigoberto Calderón of Nicaragua set a competition record by winning his sixth consecutive gold medal of the Central American Games in the men's javelin throwJavelin throwThe javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
. - Salvadorian swimmer Pamela BenítezPamela BenítezPamela Benítez is a female swimmer from El Salvador. She was the country's flagbearer in the Open Ceremonies of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games.She has swum for El Salvador at the:*World Championships: 2007 and 2009...
accumulated eight gold medals and one silver over the course of the competition.
Medal table
| 1 | 124 | 64 | 65 | 253 | |
| 2 | 66 | 72 | 69 | 207 | |
| 3 | 58 | 78 | 75 | 211 | |
| 4 | 24 | 44 | 79 | 147 | |
| 5 | 20 | 36 | 54 | 110 | |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| Total | 296 | 297 | 343 | 936 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Criticism
The delegations of Costa RicaCosta Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Guatemala and El Salvador voted against the decision to delay the event for a second time.
Eduardo Palomo, the president of the Salvadorian Olympic Committee, said that the change would complicate other international commitments that the country's athletes had. Adding to this, the president of the Costa Rica Olympic Committee (Henry Núñez) also asserted that the change of the schedule posed a problem for its sportsmen and women. Acting in its behalf, the Guatemalan Olympic Committee declined its role as a host country and withdrew its participants from the games at the Guatemalan sports federations and athlete did not agree with ORDECA's decision to postpone the competition.