Already known as a premier meetings destination of the Americas, Puerto Rico is primed to become better known as the “Destination of Champions” for hosting youth, amateur and professional sporting events.
With a long and successful history of hosting and competing in a wide range of annual international sporting events, most recently Puerto Rico was selected as the World Triathlon Corporation’s (WTC) kick-off location for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 series.
The event, taking place on March 19, 2011, is part of the Ironman 70.3 Series that now includes 46 races worldwide and serves as a qualifier for the 2011 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, Presented by Ford.
“The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has been promoting sports meetings and sports tourism for over a decade. Puerto Rico offers an optimal setting for athletes and spectators to enjoy a variety of major sporting events,” stated Ramón Sánchez, executive vice president and COO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau.
“Events like the Ironman 70.3 San Juan, the PGA Puerto Rico Golf Open and the World Baseball Classic gives us the opportunity to showcase the Island’s capacity for meetings and congresses related to the sports market.”
From August 9-12, 2010, Puerto Rico will also host the U.S. National Master Swimming Championships. Attracting an estimated 1,500 swimmers and guests to the Island for this highly-competitive amateur swim competition, events will be held at the Natatorium of San Juan, a world class facility with a ten-foot deep, ten lane, 50 meter competition course and an eight-lane, 25 meter warm-up area in the diving well, in a stunning outdoor, yet covered, facility designed after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics swim complex.
Beyond swimming and triathlon, Puerto Rico is host to some of the world’s most elite runners and other participants of the World’s Best 10k Race, top professional golfers at the PGA Puerto Rico Golf Open at Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico and host to events produced by organizations like the NCAA Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Players Association, the United States Tennis Association, and the United States Golf Association.
Home to more than 30 sports federations recognized by the International Olympic Committee, Puerto Rico is also able to host both U.S. National and International Olympic events on the Island.
First Place in Sporting Facilities and Complexes
Puerto Rico is home to dozens of purpose-built facilities for almost any sport including baseball, basketball, swimming, diving, tennis, volleyball, track and field, soccer and equestrian.
Puerto Rico’s largest sporting facility, the Coliseo de Puerto Rico is a world-class sports arena that can host up to 18,500 spectators for basketball, hockey, ice-skating, tennis, gymnastics, boxing and concert events.
Other top facilities include the Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium, an ultra-modern baseball stadium with a Major League two-level stadium seating designed for 12,500 complete with a year-round clubhouse; the Caguas Sports Complex, with purpose-built facilities for volleyball, soccer, weightlifting, gymnastics, baseball, tennis, swimming and handball events featuring seating for up to 3,200.
These facilities have been the site of premier sporting events that include the World Juvenile Championship of ITF Tae Kwon Do, the FIBA Men’s Qualifying Olympic Tournament (basketball), the Montreal Expos Series (baseball), and the Pan American Volleyball Cup as well as training camps for high-school and college level swimming, basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and other sports.
Golf Courses Designed for Champions
Puerto Rico features 24 golf courses, 14 of which are of championship caliber. These award-winning courses have been designed by the likes of Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Greg Norman, George and Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hill and Puerto Rico’s own Chi Chi Rodriquez.
In addition to the Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico, the latest addition to the folio of golf courses is Bahia Beach. Redesigned by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the scenic 6,979 yard layout overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is part of the St. Regis Resort & Golf Club, scheduled to open in Fall 2010.
Other top courses located on the grounds of Puerto Rico’s top resort properties include the Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa: A Wyndham Grand Resort, which features two courses: The Greg Norman designed River Course and the famous Ocean Course designed by George and Tom Fazio.
These two golf courses are located by the ocean and at the foot of El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. The El Conquistador Resort, The Waldorf Astoria Collection features a 6,662-yard Arthur Hills course. The 72-par course is both challenging and player-friendly with breathtaking vistas.
For more information about hosting a sporting event or programs in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau offers a free, comprehensive brochure detailing venues, seating, location and other information useful in planning a sporting event on the Island.
To request this brochure, contact the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau at 1-800-875-4765 or visit www.meetpuertorico.com
