BIO

Marcos Díaz has become one of the most prominent figures in sports in the Dominican Republic, coming from a swimming specialty that is practically unknown in his country.

He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is the son of pediatrician Dr. Marcos A. Díaz Guillén and accountant Clara Domínguez.

Marcos studied at the Dominican College of La Salle. He pursued university studies, graduating with a degree in Business Administration, and later obtained a Master's in Marketing from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC). He completed a business internship in New York City, United States. After retiring from competitive swimming, he graduated with a multinational MBA from Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile and Esade Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Marcos began swimming at the age of six on medical recommendations. In a short time, he joined the swimming team of the Casa de España club in Santo Domingo, where he competed from the age group of 6 and under until his teenage years, motivated by his parents who understood the importance of sports for his physical development and personal growth.

POOL SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS

He was part of his country’s national swimming team for pool events in age group categories.

TRIATHLON

His passion for the sea and sports challenges led him from swimming pools to the practice of triathlon, where he was part of his country’s national team for regional events (Caribbean Circuit) in the elite category.

SURFINING

He was part of his country’s national surfing team in the elite category, participating in two Pan American Championships and one World Surfing Championship.

Surfing is his great passion and is now his favorite hobby. Marcos is recognized for his skill in riding large waves.

ULTRA DISTANCE SWIMMING

It was in 1999 when his name began to gain national recognition for the impact of swimming 52 kilometers non-stop in a 25-meter pool in Santo Domingo in 15 hours and 27 seconds.

On March 24, 2002, he completed his first solo open water crossing, swimming across the Bay of Ocoa (37 kilometers) in the Dominican Republic in 9 hours and 17 minutes.

On April 20, 2002, he participated in his first Pro-Am competition, swimming 24 miles (39 kilometers) in 9 hours and 3 minutes at the “24 Miles Tampa Bay Marathon Swim 2002” in Florida, USA, finishing in third place overall and first in his category.

On September 2 of the same year, he placed second in his age group in the 3.9 kilometers of the “Waikiki Rough Water Swim” event in Oahu, Hawaii.

In March 2003, he swam 60 km non-stop in 14 hours and 50 minutes, setting a new record in ultra-distance swimming in a pool.

His achievements continued to accumulate, with a long list of successes in international competitions in various parts of the world.

He was a 4-time consecutive overall winner of the Swim Across the Gulf of Toroneos in Greece, covering 26 kilometers.

A 3-time consecutive overall winner of the Key West Swim, in Florida, USA, covering 20 kilometers.

He was the overall winner and record holder of the prestigious Freo to Rotto Marathon Swim in Perth, Australia, covering 20 kilometers.

He was the overall winner of the world's longest swimming competition in 2006, completing the 81-kilometer Swim Across the Rio Bagirathi in Murshidabad, India, in 10 hours and 34 minutes.

A two-time consecutive overall winner of the “Race for the Coch” in Turks and Caicos.

He was the overall winner and record holder of the International Crossing of the Bay of Samaná, Dominican Republic, covering 16 kilometers.

He was the overall winner of the “Maui Channel Marathon Swim,” 16 kilometers, from Lanai Island to Maui Island in Hawaii.

He was the overall winner in 2009 & 2011 at the “Clean Half Marathon Swim” in Hong Kong, covering 15 kilometers.

He was a member of the first Dominican delegation to compete in a World Championship in Open Water Swimming organized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA). He managed to rank among the top 10 swimmers in the world in the international FINA Grand Prix rankings for ultra-distance open water swimming, in events of 21, 59, and 88 kilometers.

THE CROSSINGS

From 2002 onwards, a series of high-caliber crossings began to attract national and international attention, catapulting Marcos Díaz as one of the most relevant personalities in his sport.

Noteworthy mentions include:

The swim across the English Channel in 2004 (from England to France).

He set a world record for the double crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar in 2005 (Spain - Morocco - Spain), in 8 hours and 35 minutes.

“A Swim for His Town” was a crossing from Boca Chica Beach to the Malecón of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2006, covering 50 kilometers in 10 hours and 36 minutes.

He completed two non-stop laps around Manhattan Island, New York, USA, in 2007, covering 100 kilometers in 22 hours and 14 minutes.

“A Swim for the Coasts” was a crossing from Sosúa Beach to the city of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, commemorating World Coast Day, in September 2011, covering 26 kilometers in 4 hours and 5 minutes.

He crossed the Strait of Magellan in February 2012. With this crossing, he became the first male swimmer to conquer the Extremes of the World, having previously conquered the Bering Strait to the north (August 2010) and the Strait of Magellan to the south (February 2012).

SWIM ACROSS THE CONTINENTS

In 2010, Marcos Díaz became the first swimmer to connect the five continents of the world through swimming with the project titled "Swimming of the Continents with the United Nations for the Millennium Development Goals."

Through four crossings, he connected the five continents by swimming to demonstrate that we are not so separated in the world. He engaged in humanitarian work before and after each journey, meeting with political leaders, sports figures, heads of state, communities, and media to promote the importance of fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

First Journey: He swam from Oceania to Asia, connecting the coast of Papua New Guinea with Indonesia in 4 hours and 11 minutes.

Second Journey: He united Asia with Africa from Jordan to Egypt, crossing the waters of the Red Sea in 4 hours and 54 minutes.

Third Journey: He swam the Strait of Gibraltar from Africa to Europe, from Morocco to Spain, in a time of 2 hours and 41 minutes.

Fourth Journey: He connected the European Continent with the American Continent by swimming from Russia to Alaska, crossing the dangerous waters of the Bering Strait.

Upon completing this feat, he received an invitation from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, prior to the 2010 General Assembly. Díaz performed a symbolic swim from the Statue of Liberty to the UN Building, where he was welcomed by Ban Ki-Moon, to whom he presented a book with over 200,000 signatures collected during his journeys uniting the continents through swimming.

This project earned him recognition as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations (UNDP-RD).

RECOGNITIONS

For his successful sports career and his exemplary citizenship, Marcos has received important recognitions both within and outside his country. Among the most notable is the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella, which represents the highest distinction awarded by the Executive Power of the Dominican Republic to an individual. He also received the National Youth Award, Man of the Year of the Dominican Republic, Illustrious Son of the City of Santo Domingo, recognition from the congress of his country in both legislative chambers (Senate and House of Representatives), was nominated for the Prince of Asturias Award, and was named Man of the Year in International Open Water Swimming. Additionally, he was honored as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the world, among other accolades.

INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME:

On September 22, 2012, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. Nine months later, after a journey from Palmar de Ocoa to Punta Salinas, covering 22 kilometers, he concluded his professional career and officially retired.

GOVERMENT INVOLVEMENT:

After ending his sports career, he took a role in public service as the Vice Minister of Sports, leading projects focused on school and university sports, public policies for clean sports free of doping, and representing his country in international sports organizations. After 8 years of highly valued public service, Marcos left this position in 2020.

AMERICAN SPORT COUNCIL (CADE):

While serving as Vice Minister of Sports of the Dominican Republic, he was elected President of the American Sports Council (CADE), an organization that brings together all the Ministers of Sports from countries in the Americas. Marcos has been the first Vice Minister elected to preside over this continental body.

Following his presidency and after leaving public service in his country, Marcos was appointed Secretary General of CADE.

INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DOPING IN SPORTS:

Marcos Díaz is a figure of great relevance in the fight against doping at the international level. For 6 years, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), holding the seat designated for representatives of the governments of countries in the Americas. He served as President of the Conference of the Parties for the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport for two consecutive terms, unanimously elected with the total votes of the 191 member countries of the convention.

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE:

Marcos is a member of the Commission for Public Affairs and Corporate Communication of the International Olympic Committee.

PRIVATE SECTOR:

Within the private sector, he provides advisory services for project development and foreign investment in the Dominican Republic.