THE PANAM SPORTS AWARDS CROWN THE BEST OF SANTIAGO 2023

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Superstar athletes such as Maggie Mac Neil, Osmar Olvera, Marileidy Paulino, Rebeca Andrade and Javier Sotomayor take the top honors at the 2023 Panam Sports Awards.

The second edition of the Panam Sports Awards celebrated the outstanding achievements from Athletes, Coaches and Olympic Committees from across the Americas at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Click here to download photos from the historic ceremony.

MIAMI, USA (December 9, 2023) — The winners of the 2023 Panam Sports Awards now have a new achievement to add to their incredible resumes following an unforgettable ceremony and unprecedented amount of sports fans voting to choose the award recipients.

The best athletes from across the Americas arrived in Miami dressed to impress, as more than 70 athletes from the 41 nations of the Panam American Family walked the red carpet at an evening rivaling those seen in Hollywood.

Produced by Panam Sports in collaboration with BCC and Chilevision and live-streamed throughout the world on the Panam Sports Channel, the athletes were treated to the full gala experience.

After a month-long public competition that sparked fierce rivalries between some of the greatest athletes of the Americas, sport fans from across the continent voted for their favorite athletes and favorite moments of the Games. Here are the recipients of the 2023 Panam Sports Awards.

BEST MALE ATHLETE
OSMAR OLVERA – MEXICO – DIVING
Santiago 2023: 3 Golds: 1m Springboard, 3m Springboard, 3m Synchronized Springboard

The two-time World Championships medalist and Olympic qualifier won his first three gold medals at the Pan American Games in dominant fashion, proving himself to not only be the best diver at Santiago 2023, but the Best Male Athlete.

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
MAGGIE MAC NEIL – CANADA – SWIMMING
Santiago 2023: 7 medals, 5 golds, 2 Pan Am Games Records

The Olympic and World Champion reached new heights at Santiago 2023, winning the second-most medals in history for a female athlete at a single Pan American Games, including five golds and two Games Records. Her historic performance made her the Best Female Athlete.

BEST MEN’S TEAM
COLOMBIA BASEBALL
Santiago 2023: Gold

Colombia’s Men’s Baseball team reached historic heights at Santiago 2023, winning the gold medal for the first time in the country’s history to become the Best Men’s Team.

BEST WOMEN’S TEAM
MEXICO FOOTBALL
Santiago 2023: Gold

Mexico’s Women’s Football team put together an undefeated tournament at Santiago 2023 to win the country’s first ever gold medal in the sport and become the Best Women’s Team.

CALI 2021 LEGACY – MALE
LUCAS NERVI – CHILE – ATHLETICS
Cali 2021: Gold – Discus Throw
Santiago 2023: Gold – Discus Throw

After winning the gold medal at the first Junior Pan American Games in history, Lucas qualified to Santiago 2023 and shined even brighter in front of his country’s fans to win the gold medal in Chile and be honored as the Cali 2021 Legacy award winner.

CALI 2021 LEGACY – FEMALE
MARIA ALEXANDRE – BRAZIL – RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Cali 2021: 3 gold, 1 silver
Santiago 2023: 2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (Clubs, Hoops, Ribbon, All-Around)

After winning an impressive three golds and one silver medal at the first Junior Pan American Games in history, Maria brought her winning ways to Santiago 2023 to claim two gold medals, one silver and bronze to establish herself as the Cali 2021 Legacy award winner.

FAIR PLAY
ERIKA LASSO – COLOMBIA – JUDO 48KG
Santiago 2023: 5th place

After a tough match in the women’s 48kg judo tournament, Erika helped her opponent who had hurt their leg by carrying them on her own back to the opponent’s trainers. It was an incredible display of sportsmanship and respect that is deserving of the Fair Play award.

CHANGEMAKER
MARILEIDY PAULINO – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – ATHLETICS
Santiago 2023: 2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze (200m, Mixed 4x400m, Women’s 4x400m, Women’s 4x100m)

Now an Olympic, World and Pan American Games Champion, Marileidy is also inspiring thousands off the track. She created a foundation called “Creando Sonrisa Eterna” that aims to provide support and resources to impoverished children in her country. Her work both on and off the field of play make her the winner of the Changemaker award.

BEST COACH
BIENVENIDO FRONT – CHILE – ROWING
Santiago 2023: 3 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze

An incredible performance at Santiago 2023 on Chile’s own waters give Bienvenido Front of Chile the Best Coach award, with his team winning an outstanding three golds, five silver and two bronze medals.

PANAM SPORTS LEGEND
JAVIER SOTOMAYOR – CUBA – ATHLETICS (HIGH JUMP)

One of the most electric Athletics stars of all time, Javier Sotomayor is still the World Record holder in the high jump to this day. He is a three-time Pan American Games champion, two-time World Champion and an Olympic Champion at Barcelona 1992. He is undoubtedly the greatest high jumper of all time and was chosen by fans as the Panam Sports Legend.

BEST ATHLETES OF THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

DOUGLAS ROCHA – BRAZIL – PARA SWIMMING

Douglas absolutely dominated the para swimming competition at Santiago 2023, winning 9 gold medals and setting 6 new continental records to become one of the best athletes of the Parapan American Games.

KAREN PALOMEQUE – COLOMBIA – PARA ATHLETICS

The star of para athletics at Santiago 2023 won 5 gold medals to become one of the Best Athletes of the Parapan American Games.

BEST ESPORT ATHLETE
MONIK BISONI – BRAZIL – EFOOTBALL

The inclusion of the Pan American Esports Championships at Santiago 2023 was an unprecedented success, and Monik Bisoni of Brazil took full advantage to win the gold medal in eFootball.

BEST NOC PERFORMANCE
UNITED STATES OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE
Gold: 124; Silver: 75; Bronze: 87

MOST IMPROVED NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
CHILEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
Gold: 12; Silver: 31; Bronze: 36

BEST NOC PERFORMANCE (POPULATION UNDER 1M)
ARUBA OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
Silver: 2; Bronze: 1