Special tribute to the 1968 Mexican Olympic Teams

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, August 19 2013 - Twenty-two years after the last international volleyball competition, action returned to Mexico City. The “Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium” celebrated the opening of the Pan American Cup with a special ceremony.

Members of Men’s and Women’s Mexican Olympic teams were honored before Mexico’s opening match against Trinidad and Tobago. The tribute ceremony was so special for those who played at the 1968 Games on this same court 45 years ago.

Players like the legendary Blanca Garcia, Patricia Nava, Isabel Nogueira, Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, Rogelia Romo, Gloria Casales and Gloria Inzua, were among members of the team that was coached by Macario Gonzalez.

Some other coaches like Gabriel Cherebetiu were also present, while the members of the Men’s team who played at that time attending the ceremony were Eduardo Sixtos and Juan Manuel Duran.

Some defunct members of the 1968 teams were mentioned like Esperanza Alicia Cárdenas and Trinidad Macías as well as Eduardo Jiménez and José Luis Martell García.

The Men’s National team of 1968 was composed by Carlos Aguirre Beltrán, Eduardo Sixtos, Juan Manuel Duran Gutiérrez, Cesar Osuna Brambila, José Antonio Barbet Cabrera, Leopoldo Reyna Romo, Francisco González Hernández and Jesús Loya.

On behalf of Mexico City Mayor, Miguel Mancera, the Mexico City Sport Institute Director, Horacio de la Vega was present at the opening ceremony as well as NORCECA and FIVB Executive Vice President, Saul Castro Verdugo; NORCECA Executive Director Nelson Ramírez and Mexican Volleyball Federation President, Jesus Perales.