latin American Swim Queen!

From 1974 until the early 1980s, the most popular athlete in Central America was a woman. Her name: Mar a !el Mila"ro #ar s, a nota$le sportswoman %rom Costa &ica. 'ithout a !ou$t she put Costa &ica an! (atin America on the map when she compete! in the )ummer *lympics+Montreal 197, an! Moscow 1980- an! 'orl! Championships +Cali 1974-. &e.ere! an! respecte! $y Costa &ica, one o% the most sta$le an! prosperous repu$lics in the 'estern Hemisphere, she has $een an inspiration $y )il.ia an! Clau!ia #oll, who were the $est athletes /male or %emale/ in (atin America in the late 1980s an! mi!/1990s. 1980 was one o% the $est years %or sport in Costa &ica. 'hy0 As one o% (atin America1s "reatest %emale swimmers !urin" the 1970s an! early 80s, Costa &ica1s Mar a #ar s $ecame the %irst swimmer in Central America to reach the %inals o% an *lympic e.ent when she 2uali%ie! %or the %inals at the 1980 Moscow )ummer *lympics. A%ter se.eral months o% har! wor3 an! preparation, she, who was the $est Costa &ican per%ormer at the 197, Montreal *lympics, came in se.enth place in the women1s 100/ meter $utter%ly.

Recent winners in the Olympics 2012

Adriana Araujo of Brazil celebrates her points in women's lightweight boxing, at the 2012 London Olympic Games, on Aug. 5, 2012 in London. Araujo finished the event with a bronze medal.

Ruben Limardo of Venezuela, left, competed in the men's epee individual fencing in London. Limardo went on to take the gold medal in the event.

Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic celebrated after winning the gold medal in the men's 400m hurdles final, on Aug. 6 at the London 2012 Olympic Games.