The US won the most medals at the Pan American Games, but it was the host country that was the big winner.
The small Caribbean country -- one of the poorest in the Americas -- pulled off a successful event, despite construction delays leading up to the games and fears that power outages would sabotage competition. And it was a Dominican that emerged as the games' biggest hero.
Felix Sanchez, who is from New York but took on his parents' nationality, won the 400m hurdles in front of a packed crowd at the Olympic Stadium.
The nation celebrated along with "Super Sanchez," who later added a bronze medal in the 4x100 relay.
The Dominican women's volleyball team also sparked widespread celebrations by overcoming Cuba 3-2 in a thrilling finish in the second-to-last event at the games. It was the country's 10th gold medal.
Ramon Jimenez Canela, a 54-year-old businessman, called the victory a fitting reward.
"Winning the gold is the sweetest gift of all," he said. "This is the best way to celebrate all the hard work we Dominicans have put into the games."
As expected, the US finished with the most medals, winning 271 overall and 115 golds. The Americans earned 21 golds in swimming, and also dominated in shooting and fencing.
Cuba was next in the medals table, taking home 152, including 72 golds. The Cubans dominated early in boxing and finished with six golds.
Canada reclaimed its third-place position, despite a fierce challenge from fourth-place Brazil. Mexico rounded out the top five while the hosts finished in eighth place with 41 medals.
Other top stars at the games -- which opened Aug. 1 and closed Sunday -- also return home with gold medals, including Ana Guevara of Mexico in the women's 400m and Ivan Pedroso of Cuba in the long jump.
But other champions missed the top spot on the podium. Diving star Fernando Platas of Mexico got two silver medals, Rulon Gardner of the US settled for second in Greco-Roman wrestling and Anier Garcia of Mexico failed to even make the finals of the 110m hurdles.
Eric Lopez of Cuba was the biggest individual winner, taking his overall PanAm Games tally to 18 golds with six in gymnastics.
"We've set an example -- not just inside the Dominican Republic but also for the world," said Jose Joaquin Puello, the president of the Dominican organizing committee. "The self-esteem of the inhabitants of small countries rises with this type of event. Now it will be easier for small countries to do this type of thing."
Officials said more than a million people watched the 35 sporting disciplines.
Off the field, three doping cases emerged.
Women's 800m winner Letitia Vriesde of Suriname tested positive for excessive levels of caffeine, US sprinter Mickey Grimes lost his two gold medals -- including the 100m -- for ephedrine and Argentine rower Ulf Lienhard was found to have cocaine in his body, forcing him to forfeit a silver and a bronze.
In team competition, Argentina and Brazil split the soccer golds, with the Argentine men beating Brazil 1-0 and the Brazilian women downing Canada 2-1 in extra time.
Brazil beat the hosts in the men's basketball final while the US finished without a medal for the first time in 32 years. Cuba beat the US for the women's title.
The Cubans also won the baseball gold medal, beating the US in the final to win its ninth straight.
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