• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Track & Field

Puerto Rico: Center of Track & Field Attraction, by Elena Dyachkova

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
July 11, 2014
0
0 0
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Elena Dyachkova has been one of the real gems of media correspondents for RunBlogRun. Elena travels around the world, and provides us with thoughtful commentaries on programs and athletes most of us will never meet. 


Here is her piece on the athletics programs in Puerto Rico. 

ZJPD5577.JPG
Elena Dyachkova interviewing Jose Arreras
Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre DURAND for IAAF

RelatedPosts

Dina Asher-Smith is back!

CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK TO HOST ADIDAS ATLANTA CITY GAMES on May 6

World Athletics Continental Tour expands for 2023

Puerto Rico: Center of Track and Field Attraction

This country has only one athlete to win the World and Olympic medal in track and field, put Puerto Rico boasts of having an impressive number of high-level facilities and always having the stands full.

After having attended the Champs in Jamaica, I thought that I couldn’t be more impressed by a national event, that isn’t about the stars of the world, in terms of the fans’ passion and involvement, full crowd and overall level of organization. Well, it’s actually true, the Champs are something else. But the competition I got to attend in Puerto Rico, during the IAAF media project Day in the Life, is a close second. I’m talking about the national intercollegiate championships, or simply “Justas”.

The final day of the competition at a beautiful stadium in Ponce started off with a parade. Marching bands, gymnasts, mascots, flags – every university had something unique in store for this opening ceremony. One could easily distinguish each school’s sector in the full stands. Besides fans being dressed in their school’s colors, there were huge flags placed on the top of the sectors.

javierculson.jpg

Javier Culson, photo by Jean-Pierre DURAND for IAAF

And then there was the dynamic action on the track. We spotted the World and Olympic medallist in the 400m hurdles Javier Culson cheering for his alma mater. Colombia’s World and Olympic champion in the triple jump Caterine Ibarguen also went to school in Puerto Rico, and, of course, competed at Justas. This year, she was already acting as an assistant coach. Then we noticed Luguelin Santos, even though we didn’t recognize him at first, because he was sporting emerald green hair! The prodigy 400m runner from Dominican Republic is a student at the Interamerican university, so he added some spark to his appearance to match the school’s yellow and green kit. And Santos, despite his international achievements, is not any sort of a diva on his collegiate team. In just one day he ran individual 200m and 400m races, as well as both relays. He, of course, won the 400m and celebrated the victory by unfolding both Dominican and Puerto Rican flags.

Fortunately, I was able to talk to the Puerto Rican Athletic Federation President Jose Arraras to learn more about Justas’ background and the development of the sport in the country.

Jose Arraras: Justas tarted in 1929, when three universities got together and did a track and field meet. For very many years it was all about track and field, but for the last 14-15 years, we’ve combined a week-long festival. We have basketball, softball, swimming, table tennis, judo. But it culminates with big track and field finals. We have now an Olympic medallist, Luguelin Santos, competing here. He is one of very many talented athletes from other countries, particularly from Venezuela, Colombia, Dominican Republic. We expect to see a full crowd. The capacity of the stadium is 14,000 seats, plus 2,000 students in the parade. It’s really the biggest event, because what’s around it – is a big festival of music. During the evenings the top artists of Puerto Rico and other countries come here and entertain people. And they expect to have here, in Ponce, tonight about 180,000 persons for the festival. As a matter of fact, our system here is basically an NCAA-type of an organization. We have 20 universities from Puerto Rico and the University of Virgin Islands.

ED: Does having this system in place help to retain talented athletes at home?

JA: In track and field – yes. In basketball and volleyball, our top students get scholarships in the States. The quality of basketball here is good, but not as good to keep our best athletes here, if they get scholarships at the American universities. Basketball is probably the most popular sport here, followed by baseball. And we actually tend to lose talented jumpers to basketball and volleyball.

ED: What did Javier Culson’s medals change for the sport in the country?

JA: It has brought a lot of interest! As a matter of fact, one of our best events now is the 400m hurdles. We have another athlete Eric Alejandro that is doing very well, top-25 in the world. And Jamele Mason was doing very well, but unfortunately he had a very poor last year.

ED: We see an impressive level of a nationwide participation and of the spectator interest for track and field here, at Justas…

JA: We have more spectators than at similar meets in the US. Fortunately, we have a very good school system, we’re doing a lot of Kids’ Athletics, we have 5000 kids doing that, and we have about 9000 kids in clubs, so young people are coming up, and we’ll have very good competitors in the next few years. I will be the President of the national federation only until 2016, but I will leave a very good legacy, regarding people that are coming up.

ED: What about the training and competition facilities in Puerto Rico?

JA: There are more tracks in Puerto Rico per square mile, than in the U.S. or anywhere in the World. They are all over the place, even up in the mountains… Right now, most of the important track development actually goes on in the mountains. Yesterday here we had a competition in the race walk, and the first three were from the same town in the mountains, Barranquitas. So, in the mountains the advantage we have is that usually they don’t play basketball. We have less competition, so we get the best talent in track and field. But having the tracks all over the place is incredible. They attract not only competitive athletes, but also regular people for walking and participating.

ED: What are the chances for your country in terms of bidding for major events? Maybe the World Relays?

JA: I doubt it, because of the financial circumstances. If something would happen, it would be in Mayaguez, because that area is more wealthy. We are planning to host the NACAC U23 Championships in a couple of years. But I don’t think that we’ll have an event like the World Relays. Anyway, my philosophy is that whenever I bring an event here, I need to have Puerto Rican participants that are going to do well. Or we’ll be criticized by the press. In relays, unfortunately, we’re in America, and in America you have U.S, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, so it’s the event we cannot quite compete in.

Well, track and field struggles to compete for sponsors’ and spectators’ attention with team sports all over the world. But such events as Justas, especially with the participations of high-profile athletes, definitely help to build the image of the sport, and Puerto Rico can be proud of that, as well as of having quality arenas not only in Ponce, San Juan and Mayaguez, but all over the country. And with the passion of local fans, whatever event the country chooses to host, the athletes will definitely feel very welcome.

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Sainsbury’s Glasgow DL Preview: Blake against Thompson, Rodgers and Dasaolu, by Alfons Juck, EME Neww

Next Post

Glasgow GP: Reese Hoffa wins Shot put! Walsh sets NR in third, by Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Mekkonen Set for Dubai Marathon’s “Life-changing” Streets
Events

Mekkonen Set for Dubai Marathon’s “Life-changing” Streets

February 1, 2023
Mara Yamauchi Marathon wisdom Part 1
Reviews

Marathon Wisdom, Part 2 by Mara Yamauchi

February 1, 2023
Tickets for the Istanbul 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships are now on sale
European Athletics

European Athletics streaming nine WIT Silver and Bronze events in 2023!

January 31, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
News

Coffee With Larry, the indoor track season is hot, and Dubai Marathon will be offering FREE global streaming!

February 1, 2023
COROS and Kilian Jornet Partner on Limited Release APEX 2 Pro
Gadget

COROS and Kilian Jornet Partner on Limited Release APEX 2 Pro

February 1, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
Winter Training

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Five, Day 2, a day of fartlek

January 31, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Mekkonen Set for Dubai Marathon’s “Life-changing” Streets

Mekkonen Set for Dubai Marathon’s “Life-changing” Streets

February 1, 2023
Mara Yamauchi Marathon wisdom Part 1

Marathon Wisdom, Part 2 by Mara Yamauchi

February 1, 2023
Tickets for the Istanbul 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships are now on sale

European Athletics streaming nine WIT Silver and Bronze events in 2023!

January 31, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

Coffee With Larry, the indoor track season is hot, and Dubai Marathon will be offering FREE global streaming!

February 1, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
8h

May I say that @spectrum's internet service sucks? I just love speaking with the robotic voice on #Spectrum. I am thinking of just bringing an old router up from the basement. More reliable. First ...router ever, from #Flickr.

Reply on Twitter 1620636832705937411 Retweet on Twitter 1620636832705937411 Like on Twitter 1620636832705937411 Twitter 1620636832705937411
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
8h

Watch for our link on the free streaming coverage, with commentating by Paula Radcliffe and Tim Hutchings for the 2023 Dubai Marathon, on February 12, 2023! http://www.dubaimarathon.org, ...#adidasrunning, #dubaimarathon, #dubaidutyfree,

Reply on Twitter 1620632910662598657 Retweet on Twitter 1620632910662598657 Like on Twitter 1620632910662598657 3 Twitter 1620632910662598657
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
11h

On Athletics Club is kicking butt! Great job! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7026361426478858240-wgNb?utm_source=post_nba&utm_medium=member_desktop&utm_campaign=twitter , @on_running

Reply on Twitter 1620596484961103873 Retweet on Twitter 1620596484961103873 Like on Twitter 1620596484961103873 1 Twitter 1620596484961103873
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
11h

Happy Birthday to Danny Grimes! Humboldt State HOF, OT qualifier. Ran 18 with Danny Grimes and Tim Gruber on Thanksgiving 1983, and in the 1970s with Danny, Bob Lucas, Rob Ripplinger and Jeff ...Nicklin. Great guy, HUGE VO2 max (82 I think). Interviewed Danny's son, Bennett!

Reply on Twitter 1620588467213291520 Retweet on Twitter 1620588467213291520 Like on Twitter 1620588467213291520 Twitter 1620588467213291520
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
18h

COROS and Kilian Jornet Partner on Limited Release APEX 2 Pro, from RunBlogRun, https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/01/coros-and-kilian-jornet-partner-on-limited-release-apex-2-pro.html, @COROSGlobal,
...#kilianjornet

Reply on Twitter 1620482532088348672 Retweet on Twitter 1620482532088348672 4 Like on Twitter 1620482532088348672 Twitter 1620482532088348672
Load More...
Next Post

Glasgow GP: Reese Hoffa wins Shot put! Walsh sets NR in third, by Larry Eder

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist