Felix Sanchez celebrates winning the 2004 Olympic 400m hurdles title in Athens (© Getty Images)
Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicPresident Leonel Fernandez decorated World and Olympic 400m Hurdles champion Felix Sanchez, the first Olympic gold medallist in the history of the Caribbean country, at the Palacio Nacional, the Government headquarters on Monday (4 Oct).
The two-time World champion was awarded the "Duarte, Sanchez y Mella" Order in the Great Knight degree, in a ceremony held just a day after a massive public welcome was held for Sanchez in the streets of the Dominican Republic’s capital.
"Your triumph has been the triumph of the Dominican Republic and we, filled with joy today, decorate you on behalf of your people", Fernandez told Sanchez before honouring him with one of the highest awards that can be bestowed by the Dominican government.
The President stated that the Dominicans were proud of Sanchez' international victories, including his two World titles (Edmonton 2001 and Paris 2003), and the Pan American gold in Santo Domingo, as well as the Olympic crown.
"It is a great honour that as a representative of the Dominican Diaspora, you are always carrying the flag of the Dominican Republic", Fernandez added.
The 27-year old star thanked the government and considered himself to be very honoured to receive the award and to be Dominican.
“I have Dominican blood in my veins and I wanted to represent this county in the Olympics,” confirmed Sanchez. “I already did it and I will continue to do so as long as I can race", said athlete, born in New York of Dominican parents and currently based in Los Angeles. "Athens' medal was the first, but I will bring many more to the Dominican Republic.”
"Superfelix" arrived on Sunday (3 Oct) and has become a national hero since his first World title in Edmonton 2001, in a country crazy for baseball.
"Thanks to my country for such a welcome", said Sanchez a few seconds after hugging his father and being welcomed by Dominican Olympic Committee President Luis Mejia and Felipe Payano, the Minister of Sports.
The hurdler even danced the merengue on the runway and spent some 30 minutes to sign autographs to airport employees.
In a press conference, he could not hold back his tears when recalling the Olympic final. "I was thinking about it all the time. How someone, coming from so far away, could represent a country that had never won a gold medal".
"I compete for my country and I am ready do whatever I can do to help with the problems, like the people affected by storm Jeanne", he pointed out.
After he left the airport, Sanchez was taken in a convertible car in a parade, cheered by a large crowd along Las Americas highway.
He was given the keys of the city by Santo Domingo Mayor Roberto Salcedo and was named national sporting hero by the Dominican Congress.
Felix Sanchez' gold came 20 years after boxer Pedro Nolasco had won the country's first Olympic medal, a bronze in Los Angeles 1984.