Before every multisport event, it is a tradition for the Chefs de Mission to visit the Host City months ahead of the Opening Ceremony and attend a seminar to learn about the progress, infrastructure and sports venues and resolve their questions about the continent’s most important sporting event.
View the Photo Gallery of the visit.
There are only 190 days left until Chile makes history and receives more than 6,900 athletes from the 41 countries that will participate in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
Just six months remain that will be crucial for the success of the Games, with all details and operations being finalized in order to prepare for the event in the best way possible.
One of the most important milestones is undoubtedly the Chefs de Mission Seminar. The Santiago 2023 Organizing Committee invited the 41 participating delegations to Chile so their representatives could learn about all of the progress and begin to work together with the host country.
Details that range from reviewing the anthems and flags of the countries, knowing the official hotels, going to visit the sports venues and seeing firsthand all of the progress and news for the Games that begin on October 20.
“We are very happy. The Games are getting closer and this exchange of knowledge and information for the Chefs de Mission is essential. This is everyone’s job, the Chefs de Mission are very important to collaborate in all the details and difficulties that are going to arise. Being able to have the first instance of face-to-face communication and show the infrastructure progress was our objective,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.
“It is the most important instance in which we bring together all the countries of the continent to show them the advances we have, we are already entering the Games environment, this seminar marks a milestone for us in the straight end to reach the realization of Santiago 2023,” added Santiago 2023 Executive Director Gianna Cunazza.
SPORTS VENUE TOUR
The Seminar consisted of more than just work within the four walls of the official hotel. Visits to sports venues, the National Stadium and the Pan American Village also played an important role on the agenda.
“Things are going very well. It is clear that the Organizing Committee is working very hard, and the important thing is that here they are answering all the questions and doubts that we have as Chefs de Mission. The Pan American Village is very large and very advanced. After the Games, Chile will have a very important legacy,” said Chef de Mission of the Bahamas, Clarence Rolle.
“I am really surprised by everything. The meetings we had with the functional area teams have been very good, they have given us all the answers. So we are ready to come to Chile with the best we have. We will come with our A-team trying to leave our country at the top,” added Argentina’s Chef de Mission Carlos Ferrea.
In addition to the Village and the National Stadium, the program included the Peñalolen Bicentennial Park, the Chimkowe venue and the Olympic Training Center. On Thursday, the Chefs de Mission will travel to the fifth region to visit the Algarrobo resort where Sailing will take place and the city of Quillota where the equestrian will be held.
