Games-Santiago embraces Games that once seemed out of Chile's reach

In a triumphant moment for Chile, the Pan American Games, which had seemed unattainable, finally arrived in Santiago. The opening ceremony was filled with energy and excitement, erasing the memories of past disappointments. For five decades, Chile had been unsuccessful in its attempts to host the Games, having withdrawn twice in the past due to financial and political issues. In 2019, Lima took the hosting rights, leaving Santiago once again empty-handed. However, this time, Santiago won by default as Buenos Aires, the only other contender, withdrew.

Despite the challenges faced in securing the Games, Santiago celebrated its victory. The Estadio Nacional, filled with pride, welcomed the athletes for the country’s largest sporting event since the 1962 World Cup. The magnificent Andes mountains provided a breathtaking backdrop to the multi-sport competition, held from October 20 to November 5. However, concerns arose due to a lack of star power in many events, a struggling economy, and high inflation, dampening the excitement surrounding the Games.

While the main competition hub was heavily secured, incidents such as equipment theft and warnings for visitors to remain vigilant raised concerns. Nevertheless, the opening ceremony proceeded carefree, commencing with a powerful drum solo by a woman in a dazzling red gown and concluding with a rock concert and fireworks. The captivating show, reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil, showcased Chile’s history and culture through mesmerizing performances by 5,000 artists.

As always, the Parade of Nations was a centerpiece of the program. Argentina, the first host of the Pan Am Games, led the parade, while Chile entered last, eliciting an emotional roar from the crowd. The President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, declared the Games open to thunderous applause. Despite the festive atmosphere, the dark history of the Estadio Nacional, once a site of torture and execution during a coup d’etat in 1973, was not forgotten.

The Pan Am flame entered the stadium through a memorial honoring those who lost their lives during the reign of Augusto Pinochet. The flame was then passed to 93-year-old Lucy Lopez, a former high jumper and silver medalist in the 1951 Pan Am Games. With the assistance of 2004 Olympic gold medalist tennis players Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu, Lopez lit the cauldron, symbolizing the start of the Games.

Now that the festivities are over, the real work begins for the organizers and athletes. Competitions in 39 sports, ranging from swimming and athletics to breakdancing and skateboarding, will take place. Many of these events will serve as qualifiers for the upcoming Paris Olympics. It is an exciting time for Chile and a chance for the nation to showcase its sporting prowess on the international stage.

(Reporting by Steve Keating in Santiago. Editing by Lincoln Feast.)