COD Embargo: Dominican Athletes and Federations in Financial Risk

SANTO DOMINGO. The Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) faces a critical moment due to a retention embargo that has paralyzed its finances, directly affecting hundreds of athletes, administrative staff, and sports federations. The legal measure, promoted by lawyer Ronald Santana on behalf of four federations suspended by the COD, has blocked crucial funds for high-performance sports in the country.

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Impact on Athletes and Federations An Uncertain Future

Impact on Athletes and Federations

A total of 476 athletes are directly affected by this situation, as the embargo prevents the distribution of funds intended for the salary increase of the Parni Program, despite the fact that the resources are available in the COD accounts. Luis Chanlatte, secretary general of the organization, explained that the co-management agreement between the Ministry of Sports (Miderec) and the Olympic Committee establishes that those funds must be managed directly by the COD, which is now paralyzed. In addition to the athletes, the embargo affects 16 sports federations and the Dominican Paralympic Committee, which receive funds through the Creso program, intended for the development of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Basketball
Boxing
Equestrian
Fencing
Gymnastics
Golf
Judo
Wrestling
Weightlifting
Table tennis
Sailing/kitesurfing
Taekwondo
Swimming
Tennis
Men’s volleyball
Paralympic structure

Nearly 140 employees of the Dominican Olympic Hostel (Alodom) and administrative staff of the COD are also facing delays in their payments, compromising the internal functioning of the institution.

An Uncertain Future

This financial crisis comes at a crucial moment, less than a year before the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, which could affect the preparation of the disciplines involved. The Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, had allocated 220 million pesos for the federations on June 24, funds that are now withheld. The embargo puts on hold essential commitments for sports development, leaving athletes, federations, and support structures that depend on these resources for their operation in uncertainty.