Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, multi-purpose stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez is an open-air oval stadium in the Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte, Santo Domingo. A red running track with white lane lines rings a green football field that holds a white goal frame and a dark cage structure behind it. Tiered seating in green and orange rises around the track, four floodlight poles stand outside it, and a green lower facade with crisscross steel supports wraps the base.
Construction of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic complex began in February 1966 under Joaquín Balaguer and the stadium opened in February 1974 for the XII Central American and Caribbean Games, with 22,000 seats. It was renovated for the 2003 Pan American Games, inaugurated on 23 July 2003 by President Hipólito Mejía at a cost of over US$6 million. In May 2005 it was renamed after hurdler Félix Sánchez, gold medallist at Athens 2004.
The stadium's name honours Félix Sánchez, the 400 m hurdles champion at Athens 2004 and London 2012. Since 1997 it has hosted the Festival Presidente de la Música Latina, a beer-sponsored Latin music festival that has drawn international pop stars. The 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final was played here.
Visit during major sporting events or competitions to see the stadium in full use, as this is when it operates most actively. The venue sits within a larger Olympic complex, making it easy to explore the grounds and view nearby training facilities.
The name dates from May 2005, when the stadium was renamed for Félix Sánchez after his 400 m hurdles gold in Athens 2004; he won again in London 2012. Before that it honoured Juan Pablo Duarte, after whom the surrounding Olympic complex is still named.
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