Nine countries are in the Chilean capital with their operations and logistics managers to help plan their participation at the Pan American and Parapan American Games.
SANTIAGO, CHILE (July 19, 2022) — Countries throughout the Americas are beginning to visualize their participation in the continent’s most important multisport event with greater clarity.
Following the recent publication of the sport calendar, nine countries are visiting Chile for the Santiago 2023 Open Day to better understand the Pan American and Parapan American Games including the venues, lodging and transportation plans as well as other logistical operations for the events that will take place in October and November of 2023.
The remainder of the 41 National Olympic Committees of Panam Sports and 33 National Paralympic Committees of the region are joining the event digitally. Chilean Sports Minister Alexandra Benado inaugurated the event that will take place through Friday, July 22 in the Sheraton Hotel in Providencia.
“There is less and less time before the Games begin and this visit is extremely important to ensure that the nearly 7,000 athletes and 2,000 para-athletes have a pleasant stay in our country and only focus on their sports performance,” said Benado.
Delegations from Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States and the Chilean Olympic Committee are attending the Open Day in person to understand the responsibilities of the different functional areas. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to visit the Pan American Village in Cerrillos and inspect progress at the National Stadium Park.
“We are 458 days away from the start of the most important sporting event on the continent and today is the first official face-to-face activity with the people who make this festival possible, the Olympic Committees of the Americas and their athletes. This event will demonstrate the progress of the Host City and help resolve any doubts the NOCs have. The excitement is great and the motivation is peaking throughout the continent about Santiago 2023,” said Panam Sports Director of Major Events Mario Cilenti.
“We are happy with the work that the Organizing Committee has been doing. We are very confident that the venues will meet all the international quality and accessibility standards necessary for the Games and serve as the future legacy in sports infrastructure for the pride and benefit of all Chileans,” said Americas Paralympic Committee President Julio Cesar Avila.
“The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are fundamental actors in the Pan American Games. It is key that from the organization we know how to provide the necessary services to have an unforgettable event for all athletes in the Americas,” said Chilean NOC President Miguel Angel Mujica.
“This is an important moment for all the countries that will compete at Santiago 2023. For the Paralympic world there are many issues related to accessibility that are very important and that need to be thought about well in advance. It will certainly be a new step forward,” said Chilean Paralympic Committee President Sebastian Villavicencio.
“This is a milestone within the organization of the Games and we are happy to receive the Committees both in person and virtually. They are the heart of sport in each country,” said Santiago 2023 Executive Director Gianna Cunazza.
The presentations on Tuesday were delivered for the Olympic Committees and the Pan American Games while the Paralympic Committees will receive information on Friday. The functional areas covered in the presentations include Committee Relations and Services, Sports, Venue Management, Village Management, Lodging, Accreditation, Arrivals and Departures, Transportation, Logistics and Parapan American Planning and Integration.
