5 August 2003

Computer virus attacks Pan Am Press Center
The press center of the XIV Pan American Games was hacked to unleash a
virus in the system yesterday, creating great difficulties for
journalists trying to file their stories. Both national and
international reporters complained that the virus inhibited their
ability to work effectively. Mario Emilio Guerrero, in charge of the
press center, explained to Hoy reporter Germán Marte that a hacker had
successfully placed the virus in the press center’s computers by way of
the MSL computers. MLS is the Spanish company servicing the multimedia
needs of the Games. According to Marte, “they were up all night
cleaning out the virus.” Guerrero said, however, that he was unsure
when the center would be back online. MSL was contracted by the
Organizing Committee because of its vast experience with other
international events and is responsible for providing statistics and
results to the press. Lissette Santiago, press officer for the Puerto
Rican Olympic Committee, said the system was completely permeated with
viruses, and that there was no access to any results. Santiago also
expressed dissatisfaction over the speed with which information was
being transmitted over the Internet. She was, however, very pleased
with the cooperation that she and her staff received from Dominican
volunteers and staff.

Win in volleyball, loss in baseball
The Dominican Republic’s women’s volleyball team defeated Mexico in
three sets (25-23, 25-13 and 25-18) yesterday at the Juan Pablo Duarte
Olympic Center’s new volleyball courts whose seats were more than half
full.
That same evening, a full house of fans including President Hipolito
Mejia and First Lady Rosa de Mejía at the Quisqueya Ballpark, watched
the DR lose to the US in baseball, 2-0. President Mejía authorized free
admission to the bleacher areas of the baseball stadiums to ensure
maximum crowds.
Yesterday, Dominican tennis players Johnson Garcia, Victor Estrella and
Jose Bernard advanced to the second round competitions yesterday at the
Parque del Este courts.
In women’s basketball, the DR lost to Canada (81-51) and again in men’s
basketball to Brazil (92-77). The Dominican basketball team goes up
next against Puerto Rico today. In women’s handball, the country lost
to the US, 30-23. In Hockey on grass, the country lost to Chile, 25-0.
In water polo, the local squad held its own against Colombia, despite
the 12-8 loss. Today’s events feature Felix Sánchez running in the
preliminaries of the 400-meter hurdles at 6:25 pm.
For results and more information on the Pan Am Games, see
http://www.panamgames2003.com and the Games Forum at
http://www.dr1.com/forums/
 

Source: http://dr1.com

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