2007 Pan American Games

XV Pan American Games
The official logo of the Rio de Janeiro 2007 Pan American Games.
Host city	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Motto	Viva essa energia! Viva esa energía! Share the energy!
Nations participating	42 NOCs
Athletes participating	5,633
Events	332 in 34 sports
Opening ceremony	July 13
Closing ceremony	July 29
Officially opened by	Carlos Arthur Nuzman
Athlete's Oath	Natália Falavigna
Judge's Oath	Yumi Yamamoto
Pan American Torch	Joaquim Cruz
Stadium	Maracanã Stadium

The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in 47 disciplines. During the Games, 95 new Pan American records were set; 2,196 medals were awarded; 1,262 doping control tests were performed and about 15,000 volunteers participated in the organization of the event, which was an Olympic qualification for 13 International Federations (IFs).

Rio de Janeiro was awarded the Games over San Antonio, Texas, United States, on August 24, 2002, having won an absolute majority of votes (30-21) from the 51 members of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) in the first round of voting during the XL PASO General Assembly held in Mexico City, Mexico. This was the first Games held in Brazil since the 1963 Pan American Games that took place in São Paulo. According to the Rio de Janeiro Organizing Committee, the Games called for the implementation of the country's largest organizational and logistic operation ever.

Rio de Janeiro created a new perspective and set new milestones for the Pan American Games. Considered to be an Olympic-level organized competition, these Games were the most expensive in the history of the event, with a budget of 2 billion dollars. Media outlets reported unprecedented audience interest in the Games, with the highest public attendance and largest television audience in the Pan American history. For the very first time a Pan American Torch Relay was carried out, the Games were broadcast in High-definition and all sports venues were located within the host city limits.

The 2007 Pan American Games ran smoothly and served to strengthen Brazil's ability to hold major sporting events, becoming an important experience during the country's successful campaigns to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in the following years. According to PASO, the excellent work developed by the Rio de Janeiro Organizing Committee, the full support provided by the three levels of Government—Federal, State and Municipal—in Brazil and the people's massive and enthusiastic support resulted in the organization of the best Pan American Games ever.

Bidding process

Carlos Arthur Nuzman, chairman of the Rio de Janeiro bid for the 2007 Pan American Games.

The official bid was submitted in August 2001 during the XXXIX Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) General Assembly held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In April 2002, following delivery of Federal, State and City Government and BOC letters confirming country, state, city and Brazilian sport compliance with the applicable Games regulations, PASO announced the approval of Rio de Janeiro’s bid. The Bidding Committee then submitted a detailed bid file for the Games. The document was prepared and developed with the assistance of Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), which had been commissioned by Rio de Janeiro's City Government. In the running to host the 2007 Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro faced off with the city of San Antonio, United States; which previously beat Houston, Miami, and Raleigh to become the American candidate.

According to PASO statute and regulations, the host city was selected by direct voting during the XL PASO General Assembly held in Mexico City, Mexico, on August 24, 2002. The candidate city that received the simple majority of votes from representatives of the 42 member National Olympic Committees (NOCs) would be awarded the right to host the competition. The announcement was made by PASO President Mario Vázquez Raña. Rio de Janeiro received 30 votes against 21 from San Antonio. Marked by a professional strategy that included the showing of city and project videos, Rio de Janeiro's campaign convinced the majority of voters, accounting for a total 51 votes. The 30-member Brazilian delegation erupted into boisterous celebration celebrating the country's highest achievement in terms of sporting event organization.

XL General Assembly Pan American Sports Organization August 24, 2002, in Mexico City, Mexico.
City	Nation	Round 1
Rio de Janeiro	Brazil	30
San Antonio	United States	21

Medal count

The 2007 Pan American medals.

The ranking in this table is based on the official medal standings approved by the executive committee of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) on December 18, 2007. By default, the table is ordered by the number of gold medals won by the athletes representing a nation. (In this context, a nation is an entity represented by a NOC). The number of silver medals is taken into consideration next and then the number of bronze medals. If nations are still tied, equal ranking is given and they are listed alphabetically by IOC country code.

• To sort this table by nation, total medal count, or any other column, click on the icon next to the column title.

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States (USA)	97	88	52	237
2	Cuba (CUB)	59	35	41	135
3	Brazil (BRA) 1	52	40	65	157
4	Canada (CAN)	39	44	55	138
5	Mexico (MEX)	18	24	31	73
6	Colombia (COL)	14	20	13	47
7	Venezuela (VEN)	12	23	35	70
8	Argentina (ARG)	11	16	33	60
9	Dominican Republic (DOM)	6	6	17	29
10	Chile (CHI)	6	5	9	20

Mascot

Cauê

The organization of the Rio 2007 Games has chosen the figure of the Sun to represent the event. And, in a decision never taken before, it has defined it as the single mascot of the Pan American and Parapan American Games, reinforcing thus the principles against prejudice and that, like the sun, sport is for all.

The character reflects the characteristics of the host city and harmonizes with the graphic work developed for the logo and the visual identity of both Games. The name was chosen through popular voting by Internet, cellular phone messages and public ballot boxes placed around the main Brazilian cities, causing great commotion. Over 1.2 million people participated in the election, and the name Cauê received almost half of the votes.

Traditionally used in large sport events, the mascot figure serves the purpose of cheering the event, enforcing the ludic aspect of sports and captivating spectators and athletes. The mascot's main choice is to transmit messages of peace, respect to the environment, friendship and brotherhood, which are intrinsic values to the Olympic Movement.^[1]

Opening ceremony

The Opening ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony of the XV Pan American Games took place on July 13, 2007. Approximately 90,000 people packed Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium for the occasion. The ceremony included a cast of 7,000 and a multi-million dollar budget, being produced by Scott Givens. Over 800 people were part of the creative and production teams working on the Opening Ceremony, Team Welcome Ceremonies, Sports Production, the presentation of 2,252 medals, Sports Production, the Closing Ceremony and ParaPan ceremonies.

The show began at 05:30 pm (local time, UTC-3) and lasted for two and a half hours. The theme of the show was based on the theme of the Rio 2007 Games: Viva Essa Energia (Share the Energy) and the oath of the athletes was performed by Brazilian Taekwondo athlete Natália Falavigna.^[2] Also, a very abbreviated version of the Olympic Anthem was played.

Contrary to plan, the games were not opened by Brazil's head of state, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but by the head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Nuzman. Prior to the official opening, Lula had been constantly booed whenever the in-stadium camera showed his image or when his name was mentioned.^[3]

Venues

The competitions are being carried through in a ray of 25 km, spread for four polar regions in the city.^[4]

Marapendi Club City of Sports Complex Outeiro Hill Riocentro Complex City of Rock Barra Bowling Zico Football Center Miécimo da Silva Complex Deodoro Military Club João Havelange Stadium Maracanã Stadium Marina da Glória Flamengo Park Copacabana Arena Rowing Stadium Caiçaras Club

• Marapendi Club – Tennis
• City of Sports Complex – Basketball, Cycling (track), Artistic Gymnastics, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Roller Skating (Speed and Diving).
• Outeiro Hill – Cycling (Mountain Bike and BMX).
• Riocentro Complex (IBC/MPC) – Badminton, Boxing, Fencing, Futsal, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline, Handball, Judo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Taekwondo and Table Tennis.
• City of Rock – Baseball and Softball.
• Barra Bowling Center – Bowling.
• Zico Football Center (CFZ) – Football (soccer).
• Miécimo da Silva Complex – Football (soccer), Karate, Roller Skating (Artistics) and Squash.
• Deodoro Military Club – Equestrian (Dressage, Eventing, Jumping), Field Hockey, Modern Pentathlon, Sport Shooting and Archery.
• João Havelange Stadium – Athletics and Football (soccer).
• Maracanã Stadium – Football (soccer), Water Polo and Volleyball.
• Marina da Gloria – Sailing.
• Flamengo Park – Athletics (Marathon and Race Walking) and Cycling (road).
• Copacabana Arena – Swimming Marathon, Triathlon and Beach Volleyball.
• Rowing Stadium of the Lagoon – Canoe flatwater and Rowing.
• Caiçaras Club – Water Ski.

Main construction work of the 2007 Pan American Games, the João Havelange Olympic Stadium will host the athletics and football competitions. The stadium is one of the major Games' legacies to the city of Rio de Janeiro, which can now count on a modern stadium with full capacity to be used for sports and cultural events.^[5] The City of Sports Complex counts on modern constructions such as the Rio Olympic Arena, where the Games' basketball and artistic gymnastics competitions will be held; the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park, venue for the swimming, synchronized swimming and diving competitions; and the Barra Velodrome, where the cycling (track) and speed skating events will take place.^[6] Riocentro Convention Center is the largest expositions and fairs center of Latin America, for the 2007 Games, the complex holds temporary facilities for staging several sport disciplines, including in the Parapan American Games.^[7] The Miécimo da Silva Sports Complex is the largest sports complex that is owned by a City Government (City Hall) in Brazil. Several large sports events have taken place at this venue, such as the basketball exhibition game between the teams of American Magic Johnson and Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, in addition to several matches of the Brazilian Futsal team.^[8] The Deodoro Military Club is a traditional Brazilian Army sport facility in Rio de Janeiro, will host the Rio 2007 Games equestrian, field hockey, modern pentathlon, sport shooting and archery competitions.^[9]

The Maracanã Stadium was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the Mario Filho Stadium (internationally known as Maracanã) is one of the most famous stadiums in the world, receiving a great number of Brazilian and foreign tourists annually. The stadium staged the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and football matches, including the finals. The Maracanãzinho Gymnasium is the house of the Rio 2007 volleyball competitions. The Julio Delamare Water Park is the stage for the water polo tournament in the Games. The Maracanã Sports Complex also includes the Celio de Barros Athletics Stadium, and it is administered by the Rio de Janeiro State Government.^[10]

Also known as Aterro do Flamengo, the Flamengo Park is the largest leisure area of the city. Besides Marina da Glória, the main venue for the Rio 2007 sailing competitions. During the Games, the marathon (men’s and women’s) arrival points will be set up at the Flamengo Park, which will also stage the race walking and cycling road competitions.^[11]

Sports

The 2007 Pan American Games closing ceremony.

332 events were contested in 38 sports, being 178 for men, 141 for women and 12 mixed or open.

The numbers following the sports refer to the number of men's, women's and mixed events in each sport.

Participating nations

Country	Athletes	Appearances	Flagbearer [12]
Antigua and Barbuda (ANT)	9	7	Jerry Williams
Argentina (ARG)	441	14	Luciana Aymar
Aruba (ARU)	25	5	Charlene De Cuba
Bahamas (BAH)	86	14	Jeremy Knowles
Barbados (BAR)	65	14	Vera Angela Jones
Belize (BIZ)	11	10	Alfonso Martínez
Bermuda (BER)	19	11	Kiera Aitken
Bolivia (BOL)	43	14	Giovana Irusta
Brazil (BRA)	659	14	Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima
British Virgin Islands (IVB)	10	6	Dean Greenaway
Canada (CAN)	495	14	Susan Nattrass
Cayman Islands (CAY)	31	7	Christopher Jackson
Chile (CHI)	229	14	Marco Arriagada
Colombia (COL)	307	14	Leydi Solís
Costa Rica (CRC)	–	14	Katherine Alvarado Araya
Cuba (CUB)	470	14	Driulis González
Dominica (DMA)	13	3	Hubert Joseph
Dominican Republic (DOM)	171	14	Yudelkia Contreras
Ecuador (ECU)	150	14	Seledina Hieves
El Salvador (ESA)	86	13	Eva María Dimas
Grenada (GRN)	15	5	Jewel Lewis
Guatemala (GUA)	164	14	Kevin Cordón
Guyana (GUY)	14	14	Cleveland Forde
Haiti (HAI)	38	11	Ange Marcie
Honduras (HON)	60	8	Luis Alonso Morán
Jamaica (JAM)	147	14	Alia Atkinson
Mexico (MEX)	400	14	Iridia Salazar
Netherlands Antilles (AHO)	52	13	Rodion Davelaar
Nicaragua (NCA)	55	11	Christian Villacencio
Panama (PAN)	70	14	Irving Saladino
Paraguay (PAR)	71	14	Fabiana Aluan
Peru (PER)	93	14	Víctor Aspillaga
Puerto Rico (PUR)	209	14	Henry Soto
Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN)	29	3	Roatter Johnson
Saint Lucia (LCA)	14	3	Henry Bailey
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN)	14	4	Wayne Williams
Suriname (SUR)	18	10	Chinyere Pigot
Trinidad and Tobago (TRI)	75	14	Kwadwane Brown
United States (USA)	595	14	Danielle Scott-Arruda
Virgin Islands (ISV)	50	5	Josh Laban
Uruguay (URU)	173	10	Andrés Silva
Venezuela (VEN)	382	14	Silvio Fernández

Broadcasting

•  Argentina : Canal 7 Argentina
•  Bolivia : Radio y Television Boliviana
•  Brazil : Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Globo, Rede Record, BandSports, ESPN Brasil, Sportv
•  Canada : CTV Sports
•  Chile : Canal 13, TVN
•  Colombia : Caracol TV, RCN Television
•  Dominican Republic : Tele Antillas
•  Ecuador : Gamavision, Teleamazonas
•  European Union : Eurosport
•  El Salvador : Telecorporación Salvadoreña
•  Mexico : ESPN Deportes, Televisa
•  Panama : RPC TV-canal 4TV MAX-Canal 9
•  Peru : America TV, Panamericana Television
•  United States : ESPN
•  Uruguay : Teledoce
•  Venezuela : Meridiano TV

Schedule

References

External links

• (English) Archive.org copy of site (official site is a deadlink)
• (Portuguese) esportes.terra