MIKE POWELL AND FELIX SANCHEZ CONFIRMED AS PANAM SPORTS’ GUESTS OF HONOR AT SANTIAGO 2023

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The two world-renowned athletics stars will join Carl Lewis as legendary guests who will participate in the continent’s most important multisport celebration.

Both athletes are now coaches who have athletes competing at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

SANTIAGO, CHILE (October 13, 2023) — After confirming the “Son of the Wind” Carl Lewis as a guest of honor last week following an invitation by Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, today two other big names join the select list of legends who will come to the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

The first of them is the former United States athlete and current long jump world record holder Mike Powell, who’s incredible leap of 8.95m has stood since 1991.

The two-time world champion (Tokyo 1991 and Stuttgart 1993) and two-time silver medalist at the Olympic Games (Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992)  was very happy to be part of the greatest continental multi-sport event.

“I’m in Italy right now, about to head back to L.A. and going to be coming to Santiago, Chile for the Pan Am Games. Thank you for inviting me, I’m looking forward to coming down and watching the competition and hang out with all the great athletes. Carl [Lewis] is going to be there, looking forward to hanging out with him. So thank you for inviting me and I look forward to seeing you guys in a little bit,” said Mike Powell.

Today, the long jump world record holder works as a coach. Among the athletes from the United States at Santiago 2023 is one of his students, the young and promising long jumper Jermel Jones.

“He is a young jumper who’s best jump is 8.10 meters. We hope to win, make a name for ourselves and be ready for the Olympics next year,” Powell added.

The other guest of honor Santiago 2023 is one of the most outstanding athletes in the history of the Dominican Republic, Felix Sanchez. A two-time Olympic champion in the 400 meters hurdles at Athens 2004 and London 2012, a two-time world champion at Edmonton 2001 and Paris 2003 and a five-time Pan American Games medalist including the gold medal at Santo Domingo 2003 in his home country.

“I was the Pan American Games champion at this event at Santo Domingo 2023 and now I am returning with great joy and hope. Santiago 2023 will surely be one of the best Pan American Games. I am very happy to attend my sixth Pan American Games, with four as an athlete and two as a coach,” said Felix Sanchez.

Felix Sanchez currently has an athletics academy in the Dominican Republic named after him, and four of his athletes will participate in these Pan American Games. They are Melbin Marcelino (100m / 4x100m), Yancarlos Martinez (200m / 4x100m), Yeral Nuñez (400m hurdles / 4×400) and Wilbert Encarnacion (4x400m).

Both Sanchez and Powell will arrive in the Chilean capital for the start of Athletics, a sport that is scheduled to take place between October 30 and November 4.

Click here to download the video messages from Mike Powell and Felix Sanchez.