Santo Domingo East.- The Santo Domingo East municipality experienced this Saturday the Torch relay of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, which brought together authorities, athletes, sports leaders, business owners, and hundreds of citizens in a demonstration of pride, unity, and support for the region’s largest multi-sport event.
The ceremony began on the esplanade of the “Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez” Municipal Palace, where the official mascot of the Games, Colí, handed the sports flame to Mayor Dío Astacio, accompanied by the governor of the Santo Domingo province, Lucrecia Leyba; Olympic medalist Luisito Pie; officials, legislators, and representatives of the sports movement.
Mayor Dío Astacio described the reception of the torch as “a historic act that one only experiences once or twice in a lifetime” and stated that Santo Domingo Este has the privilege and responsibility to show the world the hospitality of its people.
“There are flames that light the way and there are flames that awaken the soul of a people; today we do not just receive a torch; we receive a privilege, a responsibility, and the opportunity to tell the world who we are,” expressed Astacio.
The mayor recalled that in a few weeks thousands of athletes will arrive in the municipality, where the Central American and Caribbean Village will be located in Ciudad Juan Bosch, and that the most important thing will be for visitors to get to know the heart and hospitality of the Dominicans.
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“Medals will one day rest in a display case, but the affection of the people will remain forever in the memory of every athlete,” he stated.
The governor of the Santo Domingo province, Lucrecia Leyba, highlighted that the tour marked a special moment for the area and thanked the athletes, business owners, community members, and authorities for their accompaniment.
“We are ready to experience a great sports celebration with much pride for our Santo Domingo province,” he expressed.
On behalf of the athletes, Olympic medalist Luisito Pie thanked the authorities for their support and highlighted Santo Domingo Este’s commitment to the Central American and Caribbean Games.
He stated that the Central American and Caribbean Village will be located in Santo Domingo East and Ciudad Juan Bosch, where more than six thousand athletes who will participate in the regional event will be housed.
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“This constitutes a great commitment for us; thousands of athletes will depart from this demarcation to their competitive venues. Santo Domingo Este will play a fundamental role in these 2026 Santo Domingo Central American and Caribbean Games,” he stated.
After the protocol ceremony, the mayor gave the official start to the torch relay, which traveled along Mella highway, the roads to Sabana Larga, Venezuela, Barceló, as well as the Los Mina, Ensanche Ozama, Villa Duarte, and Calero sectors, where hundreds of people took to the streets to greet the passing of the sports flame.
Along the route, the torch was carried by Olympic and Central American athletes, sports immortals, club leaders, businesspeople, municipal authorities, and community leaders, who received the support of citizens stationed at various points along the route
