Ralph Rodríguez

Puerto Rican sports shooter Ralph Rodríguez competed at five Olympic Games and seven editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games, winning more than a dozen medals at the latter. Rodríguez was born in Manhattan, New York, with him moving to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico with his parents at a young age. He began competing in sports shooting when he was 12-years-old, and his natural talent was soon spotted in the small-bore rifle discipline. He had incredible longevity at the Central American and Caribbean Games, winning his first gold in 1974 in Santo Domingo and his final in 1998 in Maracaibo. His medal haul from these Games included four gold, three silver, and six bronze. Rodríguez was also the flagbearer for Puerto Rico at the 1993 Games, and one of the torch lighters at the 2010 Games.

Rodríguez represented Puerto Rico at five editions of the Olympics; Mexico City (1968), Montréal (1976), Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000). He had his best performance in Montréal when he tied for 12th in the 50 metres prone event. During his lengthy career he also competed at six World Cups and four Pan American Games. After his retirement from the sport he became a teacher and coach, and was honoured with the Pierre de Coubertin medal by the IOC in 2010. Four years later Rodríguez returned to the United States, initially living in Houston, Texas, before moving to Winter Garden, Florida.