Hitches and all, Games went on fine

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- The Dominican Republic's big show wasn't as disastrous as it was billed to be.

The Pan American Games that ended Saturday shined through disorganization, last-minute scrambling to complete athletic venues, concession stands and walkways, and even downpours and power outages.

People adjusted, they laughed, they dealt with what came their way. And oh what a lift this has been for a country that can really use one.

"We needed it. The youth needed it to see that there are other challenges in sports than baseball," said Jesus Alou, a former Dominican major leaguer now working as director of Dominican operations for the Boston Red Sox.

"Baseball has been everything and now there are other horizons. At least that's my hope. You walk around the Pan Am Games and there are so many bodies with tools, and they're being wasted. Now we have the facilities to develop talent and benefit. We'll see."

It started with a spectacular opening ceremony, highlighted by a unique performance from youngster Luis Pujols. The boy, dressed in a Dominican baseball uniform, stepped up to the plate and called his shot, swinging a bat at a baseball sitting atop a mini-flame in the field at Olympic Stadium. That triggered a wire extending across the stadium to the games cauldron, which ignited to resounding cheers.

While crowds were sparse at most venues when the Dominicans weren't competing, the hometown athletes got their due. Thousands packed Quisqueya Stadium to watch the Dominicans play the United States in baseball.

They pushed down fences to see local track hero Felix Sanchez win the 400 hurdles, then rushed next door to the basketball arena to watch as Brazil beat the Dominicans 89-62 for the men's gold.

On the final night of competition, police used a chemical substance to disperse thousands of fans waiting outside the already-packed volleyball arena before the gold medal game between Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The Dominicans won a thriller in five sets.

Security for the most part was efficient. After a Miami Herald reporter was mugged outside the main media center, the police presence was increased along the dark street leading from the media center to competition venues in the Olympic Center.

The Americans won the most medals, but went home disappointed in some team competitions. College players finished second in baseball and women's basketball, and the men's basketball team didn't medal at all -- for the first time since 1971.

Overall, the Dominicans had something to be proud of.

"This is not the biggest thing this country has ever done in sports," Betts said. "This is the biggest thing this country has ever done."