Felix Sanchez, of the Dominican Republic. - AP

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP):

For Olympic champion Felix Sanchez, the flight to Rio was long and drawn out. His first race at the Pan American Games? That was a smooth stroll.

Shortly after landing in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, Sanchez was on the track, easily winning his qualifying heat for today's final of the 400-meter hurdles. The defending champion showed he is ready to repeat the emotionally charged gold medal he won in his native Dominican Republic in 2003.

Sanchez followed that by becoming the first Dominican to win gold in athletics at the Olympics in Athens.

He appeared as confident as usual on Wednesday he posted only the fourth-best time among the eight finalists.

"The flight here was an odyssey, but the race was quite calm," Sanchez said, referring to his trip from Los Angeles, which he said took almost 24 hours due to long delays at airports. Sanchez said organisers of the Pan Ams were too late in sending him the airline ticket to fly here, which he also needed to apply for a visa to enter Brazil.

"But I came here the same, because I have a responsibility with all Dominicans who expect my victory," he said.

During the race Wednesday, Sanchez showed no signs of the injury problems that have plagued him in recent years, after winning world titles in 2001 and 2003.

"I am ready, I am coming back, I am again the same as before," Sanchez said. "On Friday, I'll prove that what I am saying is true."

Sanchez timed 49.42 seconds, far from his Pan American record of 48.19. Of course, he didn't have thousands of his countrymen cheering him on as they did in Santo Domingo four years ago, when he was the biggest attraction of the games.

Three runners qualified for today's final with better times than Sanchez: American LaRon Bennett, at 49.09, Canadian Adam Kunkel at 49.27, and Dean Griffiths of Jamaica, 49.37.

As he waited to run, Sanchez wore the yellow shirt of the Brazilian nationalsoccer squad with number 10 and the name Ronaldinho on the back.

"I am his fan," Sanchez said of Ronaldinho. "I've followed him since he was playing for Paris Saint Germain and now that he plays for Barcelona."

Apparently, Ronaldinho did the trick for Sanchez.

Brazilian fans have repeatedly booed foreign athletes during the games, but Sanchez won enthusiastic applause. As he approached the stands to acknowledge the cheering by the crowd, someone shouted: "Voce e um grande," in Portuguese, or "You are great."