Beijing, China, where he made history in Central America and his country, Panama, by winning the gold medal in the long jump competition on 18 August 2008, with a jump of 8.34 meters, giving Panama their first Olympic medal since the 1948 Summer Olympics, and their first gold ever. This is also the first Olympic gold medal ever won in a men's event by an athlete from Central America. On 21 August 2008 after winning Olympic gold, he arrived to Panama a national hero. Government offices and public schools were closed in honor of him. At a welcoming ceremony, Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Durán presented the Olympic gold medal to Irving Saladino for a second time. Martin Torrijos, President of Panama, announced a decree to name a sports facility in the Villa Deportiva in Juan Díaz after Saladino and granted a check to him for 50,000 U.S. dollars. Also, Ruben Blades performed the song "Patria" (Motherland) in front of thousands of cheering Panamanians. Saladino qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics and he was chosen to be Panama's flag bearer. He was eliminated early after underperforming due to injury. Saladino's performances declined after the 2011, and although he managed to clear in the 2014 season, he announced his retirement that August. Personal bests Long jump: 8.73 m (wind: +1.2 m/s) – Hengelo, Netherlands, 24 May 2008 Triple jump: 14.51 m – San José, Costa Rica, 11 October 2002 International competitions References External links 1983 births Living people Sportspeople from Colón, Panama Panamanian male long jumpers Olympic athletes of Panama Olympic gold medalists for Panama Athletes (track and field) at the 2004 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics Pan American Games gold medalists for Panama Pan American Games medalists in athletics (track and field) Athletes (track and field) at the 2007 Pan American Games World Athletics Championships athletes for Panama World Athletics Championships medalists Olympic gold medalists in athletics (track and field) Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalists for Panama IAAF Golden League winners South American Games gold medalists for Panama South American Games medalists in athletics Central American Games gold medalists for Panama Central American Games medalists in athletics Competitors at the 2014 South American Games Competitors at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games World Athletics Championships winners Central