Pan Am Games finally ready for 17-day run.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Kevin Baxter

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic _ After waiting through nearly eight years of planning, three years of building and at least six months of sweating, organizers of the XIV Pan American Games finally will see their work become reality when the Games open their 17-day run at Santo Domingo's refurbished Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.

And not a moment too soon.

The stadium, site of the track and field competition and others, was the last venue to receive approval from the Pan American Sports Organization. It got the OK on Thursday morning, less than 36 hours before Friday night's opening ceremony.

Dr. Jose Joaquin Puello, a prominent surgeon and president of the Games organizing committe, said many elite Dominican athletes would participate in Friday night's ceremonies _ expected to draw a crowd of 30,000 _ but declined to name them. The Boston Red Sox, however, said they have allowed pitcher Pedro Martinez to join former major-league star Juan Marichal in lighting the Pan American Games torch.

The lineup of entertainers also will have a Dominican feel, with a cast that includes recording artists Johnny Ventura, Milly Quezada and Wilfrido Vargas, as well as the National Symphonic Orchestra, the National Choir, The National Folkloric Ballet, and the National Dominican Ballet. More than 10,000 performers will take part in the ceremonies, with nearly 5,000 athletes expected to participate in the parade of nations.

The United States, whose delegation of 650 athletes is the Games' largest, will be led by Carl Eichenlaub, the 73-year-old boatwright for the sailing team who will carry the U.S. flag. It is believed to be the first time a nonathlete has been chosen by the U.S. team captains for the honor.