Puerto Rican fans have become known for celebrating every win with unusual passion at the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, treating the competition venues like home.
A young Puerto Rican fan, watching his country's team compete in the men's archery final, said Puerto Ricans are always used to supporting each other, that they are always united, and that the same family spirit found in Puerto Rico is what fans bring to the Games.
A culture that starts at home
Katherine Perez Santiago, president of the Puerto Rican Hockey Federation, said the reason Puerto Ricans support one another so strongly is that parents have always encouraged and supported their children, creating a culture that passes from the home to the country as a whole.
Perez Santiago said Puerto Rico has fantastic parents who have come to support the country and all its athletes, and that she believes this is why there are so many fans. She said she feels very proud of that.
She said her country's performance has been excellent across every discipline, wished every athlete well and said she has faith Puerto Rico can win more medals.
Puerto Rico's delegation at the Games
Puerto Rico's delegation includes 442 athletes, 226 women and 216 men. The country is competing in 33 sports, 43 disciplines and 260 events.
Equestrian rider Mark Watring, 63, is the oldest member of the Puerto Rican delegation. Skater Esmeralda Butler, just 13 years old, is the youngest.
