Chile understands this. It won the race against time by organizing for the first time the Pan American Games, the largest multi-sport event on the continent.

There was no shortage of organizational problems, but the Andean country managed to have all the venues ready to welcome delegations from 41 countries, with around 7,000 athletes in 39 different disciplines.

“We had problems, we overcame a pandemic and we can say to the world: we kept our word. The Games were a huge success,” said Chilean Neven Ilic, president of Panam Sports.

After two and a half weeks, Chileans began to get excited about competing in the Olympics, especially after International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach emphasized that “Chile is ready for bigger things.” .

And why not?

“What will happen after the Pan American Games? The Olympic Games,” said Harold Mayne-Nicholls, president of the Santiago 2023 organizing committee. “In football terms, (Bach) made a pass to us without a goalkeeper and we are in the penalty area. We have to get there. and push it. How can we waste this opportunity?

The 19th edition ended on Sunday and for the 17th time the United States found itself at the top of the medal table, in a new show of strength despite the arrival of a second-tier delegation, winning a total of 124 gold medals, 75 silver. and 87 bronze for a grand total of 286.

Brazil and Mexico accompanied them on the podium of the Games.

The South American giant added 66 gold medals to finish in second place, matching what was done in Lima 2019, the first time it reached this position.

Mexico dazzles

With a mix of veteran and young athletes, Mexico stood out like never before at the Pan American Games. The historic haul of 52 gold medals exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.

Sports like diving and taekwondo confirmed themselves as strong suppliers of metals for the Mexicans, who dominated both medal tables, with eight and six gold medals respectively.

“It’s great that we have done so well as a delegation, it’s great preparation for many and helps us arrive at the Olympic Games in great shape,” said Alejandra Valencia, who won three Olympic medals. gold in archery.

After an intense fight, Mexico relegated Canada (46 gold medals) to fourth place.

Cuba managed to place fifth with 30 gold medals. Colombia (29), Argentina (17), Chile (12), Peru (10) and Venezuela (8) complete the Top 10.

THE FIGURES

Athletics and swimming, the main sports of the program, suffered from the absence of renowned personalities. This was more accentuated in athletics because the dates for Santiago 2023 were later than the season, so stars like Venezuelan jumper Yulimar Rojas preferred to take a break and look towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

But the luminaires delivered were delivered.

A few weeks after being crowned world vault champion, Brazilian Rebeca Andrade climbed to the highest step of the podium twice. Dominican Marileydi Paulino also won two gold medals, although she did not compete in the 400 meters, the event in which she became world champion in August.

Canadian swimmer Maggie Mac Neil was the great individual figure of these Pan American Games, winning five gold medals. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic 100 butterfly champion became the first Canadian athlete to win five gold medals at a single Pan American Games.

And Mexican racquetball player Paola Longoria, at 34, won the eleventh gold medal on her record at the Pan American Games, leaving behind the historic record in the hands of Canadian Denise Parker (archery).

The unusual

Peruvian Kimberly García was amazed by her time, as were her 20 kilometer walking companions. World champion in 2022, García shattered the women’s world record by 11 minutes, and that of men by four.

It didn’t take long for them to realize something was wrong on a cold, rainy Sunday morning. They had traveled almost 4 kilometers less because the person responsible for measuring the route had made a mistake.

“It’s a piece of shit,” Mayne-Nicholls said.

The times were canceled, while the person responsible for the measurement accepted the error and apologized.

CHILI WITHOUT ARCHER

Chile had to play the match for gold in women’s football with a field player defending the goal, striker María José Urrutia, after Christiane Endler and Antonia Canales, the team’s goalkeepers, had to return to their European clubs.

After losing 1-0 to Mexico in the final, Chile’s players issued a statement highlighting “mismanagement” and called for changes in the “conditions and level of professionalism” of the women’s teams.

At 32 years old and considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Endler announced her retirement from the national team after the victory against the United States in the semifinals.

GOODBYE SANTIAGO, HELLO BARRANQUILLA

The closing event will take place at the Bicentenario stadium in La Florida and not at the National stadium like the opening, with the presentation of several local and international artists, including the American urban music star Prince Royce.

The ceremony served to hand over the post to Barranquilla, the Caribbean city of Colombia which will host the next event in four years. This dispels recent doubts due to his pattern of non-compliance with money disbursements demanded by Panam Sports.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric handed over the Games pavilion to Ilic, who then handed it over to Barranquilla Mayor Jaime Pumarejo and Colombian Sports Minister Astrid Rodríguez.

Barranquilla will be the second city in Colombia to host the Pan American Games, and the first since Cali in 1971.