On a day like today (October 12, 1926), the first Multi-Sport Games in America were held in Mexico City: the First Central American Games, with Guatemala, Cuba and Mexico. From that moment, 21 editions have been held uninterruptedly, in four-year intervals, in which 32 countries of the Central American and Caribbean region have participated, with thousands of participants. The city of Veracruz is getting ready to be the host of edition number 22 in 2014.
The First Games coincided with the 434th anniversary of the arrival of admiral Christopher Columbus on American coasts and land. In the first edition, in accordance with the Rules approved by the delegates of the participating countries, women were invited to participate in swimming, tennis, and volleyball, as long as they were above 15. No women participated, only men did, 269 in total, participating in seven sports with 39 finals. Mexico was the dominant country with 25 gold medals, 24 silver and 18 bronze, winning in athletics, swimming, shooting, tennis, and basketball.
Cuba took second place, winning in baseball and fencing, with its legendary Ramón Fonst, who took gold in foil, sabre and epee, with 24 victories and only one loss.
The Cubans took 14 gold medals, 15 silver medals, and 15 bronze medals, and Guatemala won three bronze medals. The host of the Games was then-president of Mexico, Plutarco Elías Calle.
The President of CACSO, Héctor Cardona, expressed great satisfaction and happiness in the commemoration of the 85-year anniversary of the Central American and Caribbean Games, recognizing that after eight decades the CACSO member countries continue to be united administratively, logistically, and competitively.
He also recognized Mexico’s great contributions in the regional, continental and world sports organization, since in other instances, on a day like today (October 12) the Olympic Games of 1968 and the Panamerican Games of 1975 were held on Mexican land.
Cardona ended by wishing all of the CACSO member countries success in the 16th edition of the Pan-American Games which start on October 14 in the cultural city of Guadalajara.
For more information, contact: prensajcycveracruz2014@gmail.com
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