Costa Rica News & Events – The young athletes looked amazing at the opening of the XXXIII National Games 2013. The event was originally scheduled for January, but because of delays, it started on March 1st and will be going on until March 16th, throughout the country. The athletes are in Guanacaste, for this first week.
President Laura Chinchilla said, “We are hopeful, we feel joy … to win and enjoy.” She highlighted sportsmanship and didn’t mention the cracks on the fields, the courts without bearing, or the skating rink which lacks a proper surface. Her speech was encouraging and positive.
The man in charge of the construction for the event, Marvin Oviedo, explained that they started on January 21, which didn’t leave enough time for the last stage of the track to be completed. They are rushing to finish the perimeter of the baseball field, as well.
The 5,224 athletes are divided into 23 sports, some of which will be competed in Guanacaste and others in the south. Some of the disciplines that will be held in Guanacaste include taekwondo, women’s volleyball , cycling , table tennis, weightlifting, men’s basketball, baseball, tennis, skating, women’s football, handball, athletics, and swimming.
35 million colones, or $70,000, was set aside by the Costa Rican Sports and Recreation Institute to improve the sports complex in Nicoya, where the water sports will be held.
In Buenos Aires, Golfito, Corredores, Coto Brus, and Osa, in the southern region, there will be boxing, judo, karate, men’s soccer, chess, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, beach volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, and triathlon.
This is an exciting time of year for sports enthusiasts in Costa Rica and Costa Rican pride can be felt as they compete.
