Pan American Games facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pan American Games
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1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023 2027

The Pan American Games, often called the Pan Am Games, are a huge sports event held in the Americas. Thousands of athletes from countries across North, Central, and South America compete in many different summer sports. These games happen every four years, always in the year before the Summer Olympic Games.

The Pan Am Games are the second oldest continental sports event in the world. There was only one Winter Pan American Games, held in 1990. In 2021, the first Junior Pan American Games took place, made just for younger athletes.

The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) runs the Pan American Games. They make sure everything follows rules similar to the Olympic Charter. The most recent games were the 19th Pan American Games, held in Santiago, Chile, from October 20 to November 5, 2023. The next games, the 20th, will be in 2027.

Since 2007, host cities also manage the Parapan American Games. These games are for athletes with physical disabilities and happen right after the main Pan American Games. PASO chooses the host city for each event. The host city then organizes and pays for the games.

The Pan American Games include many traditions like the flag and torch. Over 5,000 athletes compete in about 36 sports and nearly 400 events. The top three athletes or teams in each event win gold, silver, and bronze medals.

History of the Pan Am Games

How the Games Started

The idea for the Pan American Games came up during the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Sports officials from Latin American countries thought it would be great to have a competition just for countries in the Americas.

In 1937, a small sports event was held at the Pan-American Exposition in Dallas. It included sports like athletics, boxing, and wrestling. This event was a success, and it led to more meetings about a bigger competition.

The first Pan American Sports Congress was held in Buenos Aires in 1940. Everyone decided that Buenos Aires should host the first games in 1942. However, World War II caused a delay. After the war, during the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Buenos Aires was again chosen as the host city.

The first Pan American Games finally took place in 1951, starting on February 25. There were 18 sports. Countries like Canada, which were part of the Commonwealth of Nations, did not compete in these first games. The second games were in Mexico City, Mexico, in 1955. About 2,583 athletes from 22 countries competed in 17 sports. Since then, the Pan American Games have been held every four years.

Recent Pan Am Games

The welcome centre at the 2015 Pan American Games athletes' village.

The first games in 1951 had 2,513 athletes from 14 nations. The most recent games in 2019 Pan American Games saw 6,680 athletes from 41 countries!

During the games, most athletes and officials stay in the Pan American Games village. This village is like a temporary home for everyone. It has cafeterias, health clinics, and places for different religions.

PASO allows territories that are not fully independent countries, like Puerto Rico and Bermuda, to have their own sports teams. This means they can compete as separate nations, even if they are under the rule of another country.

Winter Pan American Games (A Short Story)

Las Leñas, Argentina, hosted the only Pan American Winter Games.

People have tried to hold Winter Pan American Games many times, but it hasn't worked out well. The organizers of the 1951 games thought about adding winter events, but there wasn't enough interest. Also, because the Americas cover both the northern and southern halves of the world, their seasons are opposite, which makes planning winter sports tricky.

Lake Placid, New York tried to host Winter Games in 1959, but not enough countries wanted to join. So, those plans were canceled.

In 1988, PASO decided to hold the first Winter Pan American Games in Las Leñas, Argentina, in September 1989. They planned to have them every four years. But there wasn't enough snow, so the games were moved to September 1990. Only eight countries sent 97 athletes. Most of them (76) were from Argentina, Canada, and the United States. The weather was warm, and there was still little snow. Only three skiing events took place. The United States and Canada won all the medals.

PASO then chose Santiago, Chile, to host the second Winter Games in 1993. But the United States said they wouldn't come unless there were more events. The Santiago organizers eventually gave up, and the idea of Winter Pan American Games hasn't been tried again since.

Junior Pan American Games (For Young Athletes)

On January 16, 2019, PASO announced a new event: the Junior Pan American Games. These games are like the Youth Olympic Games. They are only for athletes under 21 years old. They also require less building and cost less money to host.

For the first Junior Games, cities like Cali, Colombia; Santa Ana, El Salvador; and Monterrey, Mexico wanted to host. Cali was chosen as the first host city on March 27, 2019.

Later, Asunción, Paraguay, was chosen to host the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.

Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)

The Pan American Games Movement includes many national and international sports groups. It also involves media partners, athletes, officials, and judges. Everyone involved agrees to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter, which is also PASO's main rulebook.

PASO is the main organization. It chooses the host city, helps plan the games, decides which sports will be played, and handles deals for sponsors and TV rights.

The Pan American Games Movement has three main parts:

• International Federations (IFs) are groups that manage a sport around the world. For example, FIFA manages football (soccer). There are 36 IFs for the sports played at the Pan American Games.
• National Olympic Committees (NOCs) manage the Pan American Games movement within each country. For instance, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is the NOC for the United States. PASO recognizes 41 NOCs.
• Organizing Committees for the Pan America Games (PAOGs) are temporary groups that plan and run a specific Pan American Games. They are dissolved after the games are over.

Spanish and English are the official languages of the Pan American Games Movement. The language of the host country is also used. For example, at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, Brazilian Portuguese was also spoken. Important announcements, like during the opening ceremony, are made in these languages.

Symbols of the Games

The Pan American Games torch being lit in Teotihuacan.

The Pan American Games Movement uses special symbols to show its ideals. The Pan American Sports Organization flag has the PASO logo on a white background. In 1988, the Olympic Rings were added to the flag to show the close link between PASO and the International Olympic Committee. This flag is raised at every games.

Like the Olympic flame, the Pan American Games flame is lit before the games begin. For the first games, the flame was lit in Olympia, Greece. For later games, the torch is lit in a special ceremony that looks like an ancient Aztec new fire ceremony. This ceremony takes place at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico.

An Aztec elder lights the torch of the first person to carry it. This starts the Pan American torch relay, which carries the flame to the host city's main stadium. The flame plays a big part in the opening ceremony. Since 2011, the flame must burn in the stadium where the athletics competitions are held.

The Pan American Games mascot is usually an animal or human figure that shows the host country's culture. Mascots were first used in 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They are important for the games' identity and promotion. The mascot for the most recent games in Santiago de Chile was Fiu, a colorful bird.

List of Games mascots:

• San Juan 1979: Coqui (frog)
• Caracas 1983: Santiaguito (lion)
• Indianapolis 1987: Amigo (green parrot)
• Havana 1991: Tocopan (bird)
• Mar del Plata 1995: Lobi (sea lion)
• Winnipeg 1999: Duck and Lorita (ducks)
• Santo Domingo 2003: Tito (manatee)
• Rio de Janeiro 2007: Cauê (sun)
• Guadalajara 2011: Huichi (deer), Gavo (agave plant) and Leo (lion)
• Toronto 2015: Pachi (porcupine)
• Lima 2019: Milco (statue)
• Santiago 2023: Fiu (Many-colored rush tyrant)

Ceremonies at the Games

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Pan American Games follows certain traditions. It usually begins with the host country's flag being raised and its national anthem played. Since 2007, athletes parade into the stadium, grouped by their country. Argentina always enters first to honor where the games began. Other nations usually enter in alphabetical order based on the host city's language. The host country's athletes always enter last.

After the parade, speeches are given to officially open the games. The PASO Flag and Olympic Flag are raised, and athletes take oaths. Then, the host nation puts on artistic shows with music, singing, dancing, and theater. These shows represent the host country's culture and history. They have become very grand over the years. For example, the opening ceremony of the 2011 games in Guadalajara, Mexico, reportedly cost $20 million.

Finally, the Pan American torch is carried into the stadium. It is passed from person to person until it reaches the last torchbearer. This person is often a famous athlete from the host country. They light the Pan American Games flame in the stadium's big cauldron.

Closing Ceremony

Athletes gather in the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2007 Pan American Games.

The closing ceremony happens after all the sports events are finished. Flag-bearers from each country enter the stadium. Then, all the athletes come in together, not grouped by country.

Three flags are raised: the flag of the current host country, the flag of the country hosting the next games, and the PASO flag. Their national anthems are played. The leaders of the organizing committee and PASO give speeches, officially closing the games. They invite everyone to the next games. Then, the Pan American flame is put out.

In a special part called the Antwerp Ceremony, the leader of the current host city gives a special Pan American Games flag to the PASO president. The president then passes it to the leader of the next host city. After this, the next host nation gives a short artistic show to introduce its culture.

Medal Presentation

A medal ceremony during the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.

After each event, medals are given to the first, second, and third-place winners. Gold medals go to the winners, silver to the runners-up, and bronze to the third-place athletes. In some sports, like boxing, where there isn't a third-place match, both athletes who lose in the semifinals get bronze medals.

The medal winners stand on a three-level podium. After they receive their medals, the national flags of the three medalists are raised. The national anthem of the gold medalist's country is played. Volunteers from the host country help with the ceremonies. They assist officials and carry the flags. Medal ceremonies usually happen within a day after the event finishes.

Sports at the Pan Am Games

Athletics has been held at all nineteen editions of the Pan American Games. Pictured here is the 10,000 metres event for men at the 2015 edition in Toronto.

The Pan American Games feature a wide variety of sports. Some sports have been part of the games since the very beginning, while others are newer additions. The list below shows the sports that have been included over the years.

Champions and Medalists

Gold medal from the 2015 Pan American Games

Silver medal from the 2015 Pan American Games

Bronze medal from the 2015 Pan American Games

Swimmer Thiago Pereira of Brazil has a record 23 Pan American medals. Here he holds a gold medal during the 2007 edition.

Athletes or teams who finish first, second, or third in an event receive medals. Gold medals are for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third. In some sports, like boxing, both athletes who lose in the semifinals get bronze medals.

PASO doesn't officially track medal counts, but countries and the media do. This helps show which nations have been most successful.

Here are the top ten nations in the Summer Pan American Games:

Summer Pan American Games

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	2,188	1,617	1,194	4,999
2	Cuba	938	642	613	2,193
3	Canada	537	776	918	2,231
4	Brazil	449	476	656	1,581
5	Argentina	343	391	501	1,235
6	Mexico	310	362	617	1,289
7	Colombia	165	208	296	669
8	Venezuela	110	235	317	662
9	Chile	69	141	205	415
10	Dominican Republic	48	82	146	276
Totals (10 entries)		5,157	4,930	5,463	15,550

And here are the medals from the only Winter Pan American Games:

Winter Pan American Games

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	4	2	5	11
2	Canada	2	4	1	7
Totals (2 entries)		6	6	6	18

List of Pan American Games Host Cities

Map of Pan American Games locations (host cities in red dots). Countries that have hosted one Pan Am Games are shaded green, while countries that have hosted two or more are shaded blue.

The Pan American Games have been held in 17 different cities across 11 countries. Mexico and Canada have hosted the games three times each, more than any other nation. Only Winnipeg and Mexico City have hosted the Pan American Games more than once.

The host city for the games is usually chosen six years before the event. The selection process takes two years and has two main parts. First, a city applies to its country's Olympic Committee. If more than one city from a country applies, the national committee picks one to present to the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO).

Next, the cities that are chosen as applicants fill out a questionnaire. This form asks about their plans for organizing the games. PASO reviews these plans to see which cities are best suited to host.

Then, the chosen cities become "candidate cities." They have to give a much more detailed plan to PASO. A special group visits these cities, talks to local officials, and checks out the proposed sports venues. This group writes a report for PASO. The candidate city must also promise that it can pay for the games.

Finally, the members of PASO vote on the host city. Once a city is chosen, it signs a contract with PASO, officially becoming the host.

Edition	Year	Host city	Host nation	Opened by	Start date	End date	Nations	Competitors	Sports	Events	Top placed team
1	1951	Buenos Aires	Argentina	President Juan Domingo Perón	February 25	March 9	21	2,513	18	140	Argentina (ARG)
2	1955	Mexico City	Mexico	President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines	March 12	March 26	22	2,583	17	146	United States (USA)
3	1959	Chicago	United States	Milton S. Eisenhower	August 27	September 7	25	2,263	15	166	United States (USA)
4	1963	São Paulo	Brazil	Adhemar de Barros	April 20	May 5	22	1,665	19	160	United States (USA)
5	1967	Winnipeg	Canada	Prince Philip	July 23	August 6	29	2,361	19	169	United States (USA)
6	1971	Cali	Colombia	President Misael Pastrana Borrero	July 30	August 13	32	2,935	17	164	United States (USA)
7	1975	Mexico City	Mexico	President Luis Echeverría	October 12	October 26	33	3,146	19	190	United States (USA)
8	1979	San Juan	Puerto Rico	Governor Carlos Romero Barceló	July 1	July 15	34	3,700	21	249	United States (USA)
9	1983	Caracas	Venezuela	President Luis Herrera Campins	August 14	August 29	36	3,426	22	249	United States (USA)
10	1987	Indianapolis	United States	Vice President George Bush	August 7	August 23	38	4,360	27	296	United States (USA)
11	1991	Havana	Cuba	President Fidel Castro	August 2	August 18	39	4,519	28	331	Cuba (CUB)
12	1995	Mar del Plata	Argentina	President Carlos Menem	March 12	March 26	42	5,144	34	408	United States (USA)
13	1999	Winnipeg	Canada	Governor General Roméo LeBlanc	July 23	August 8	42	5,083	34	330	United States (USA)
14	2003	Santo Domingo	Dominican Republic	President Hipólito Mejía	August 1	August 17	42	5,223	34	338	United States (USA)
15	2007	Rio de Janeiro	Brazil	Carlos Arthur Nuzman	July 13	July 29	42	5,633	33	331	United States (USA)
16	2011	Guadalajara	Mexico	President Felipe Calderón	October 14	October 30	41	5,996	36	361	United States (USA)
17	2015	Toronto	Canada	Governor General David Johnston	July 10	July 26	41	6,123	36	364	United States (USA)
18	2019	Lima	Peru	President Martín Vizcarra	July 26	August 11	41	6,668	38	419	United States (USA)
19	2023	Santiago	Chile	President Gabriel Boric	October 20	November 5	41	6,909	39	425	United States (USA)
20	2027	Lima	Peru		September 10	September 26	41	TBD	39	TBD	TBD

Participating Nations

As of the 2023 games, 41 nations compete in the Pan American Games. These include 35 countries and 6 territories. Each has its own National Olympic Committee recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization.

See also

In Spanish: Juegos Panamericanos para niños