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≡ PAN AMERICAN GAMES ≡
A determined push to be a regional power in sports has paid off for Asuncion, Paraguay, selected this morning as the host of the 2031 Pan American Games. Per Panam Sports:
“OFFICIAL! ASUNCIÓN WILL BE THE HOST OF THE XXI PAN AMERICAN GAMES 2031.
“Paraguay makes history by hosting the continental event for the first time.
“Its project includes the Pan American Village, an Athletics Stadium and a new Arena in the Olympic Park.
“Congratulations to all of Paraguay!
“The final vote: 28 votes for Asunción, 24 votes for Río-Niterói.”
Paraguyan President Santiago Peña has made sports a primary focus to raise Paraguay’s profile, both regionally and globally, with at least an opening “centennial” match (and perhaps more) at the FIFA World Cup 2030 and now the 2031 Pan American Games.
Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Nitroi bid planned to use many of the facilities for the 2016 Olympic Games, and Rio hosted the 2007 Pan American Games, a critical event in its candidacy for 2016.
Asuncion actually did two better, taking on the II Junior Pan American Games this past summer, from 9-23 August, successfully hosting 3,975 athletes from the 41 Pan American nations, competing in 336 events in 28 sports. That followed the October 2022 hosting of the South American Games, with 4,476 athletes competing in 36 sports. So it has shown its ability concretely.
At last week’s evaluation visit to Asuncion, Paraguyan Olympic Committee President Camilo Perez, also a member of the International Olympic Committee, told the delegation:
“Paraguay can offer the entire continent responsible work, the work of a team that has been working together for many years. We can offer a lot of peace of mind and a lot of responsibility in budget management. We have a very realistic, well-defined budget, but one that will help us hold giant Games like the senior Pan American Games.”
It will be the first time for Paraguay to host the Pan Ams, but the fourth in a row for South America, with Lima (PER) the host in 2019 and 2027, then Santiago (CHI) in 2023 and now Asuncion in 2031.
(Image above courtesy Panam Sports.)
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