
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held among athletes from countries in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is the second-oldest continental games in the world, with the inaugural games taking place in 1951 with 2,513 participants from 14 nations. The number of participating countries has grown over time, with 41 countries and 6,680 competitors taking part in the 2019 edition. The Pan American Games are held every four years, in the year prior to the Olympic Games, and include all the sports featured in the Summer Olympics as well as additional sports governed by international federations recognized by the IOC.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries in the 1951 Pan American Games | 14 |
| Number of countries in the 2019 Pan American Games | 41 |
| Number of athletes in the 1951 Pan American Games | 2,513 |
| Number of athletes in the 2019 Pan American Games | 6,680 |
| Number of countries in the 4th Pan American Games | N/A |
| Number of athletes in the 4th Pan American Games | 1,665 |
| Number of countries in the 5th Pan American Games | 29 |
| Number of athletes in the 5th Pan American Games | 2,361 |
| Number of countries in the 6th Pan American Games | 32 |
| Number of athletes in the 6th Pan American Games | 3,000 |
| Number of countries in the Pan American Games hosted by Mexico City for the second time | 33 |
| Number of athletes in the Pan American Games hosted by Mexico City for the second time | 3,146 |
| Number of countries in the Pan American Games hosted by Indianapolis, Indiana | 39 |
| Number of athletes in the Pan American Games hosted by Indianapolis, Indiana | 5,000+ |
| Number of countries in the Pan American Games hosted by Toronto, Canada | 41 |
| Number of athletes in the Pan American Games hosted by Toronto, Canada | 6,332 |
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What You'll Learn

The number of countries participating has increased over time
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years for athletes from countries in the Americas. The inaugural Pan American Games took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951, with over 2500 athletes from 22 countries participating.
Since then, the number of countries participating in the Pan American Games has increased. For example, the 4th Pan American Games, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, saw a drop in the number of athletes to 1665, but the number of countries remained the same. The 5th edition, held in Winnipeg, Canada, saw a rise in participation with 29 countries and 2361 athletes. The 6th Games in Cali, Colombia, broke records with 32 countries and 3000 athletes. Mexico City became the first city to host the Pan Am Games twice, with 33 countries and 3146 athletes.
The 1995 Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina, saw a significant increase, with over 5000 athletes, and the number of countries rose to 39 when the Games returned to the United States in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, welcomed a record-breaking 6332 athletes from 41 countries. The most recent Pan American Games, held in 2023 in Santiago, Chile, involved 6680 competitors from 41 nations.
The Pan American Games have grown over time, with more countries participating and athlete numbers increasing. The Games provide an important platform for athletes from the Americas to compete and represent their nations on an international stage.
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The inaugural 1951 games hosted 14 nations
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held among athletes from nations of the Americas. The inaugural edition of the games was held in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and hosted 2,513 participants from 14 nations. The games are held every four years, in the year prior to the Olympic Summer Games.
The idea for the Pan American Games was first proposed in 1926, following a proposal by IOC members from Cuba, Guatemala, and Mexico, and the first Central American Games were held that year. At the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, representatives of those Latin American delegations proposed regional Games for the Americas. This led to the Pan American Sports Congress in Buenos Aires in 1940, which selected the city to host the first Pan American Games in 1942. However, these plans were postponed due to World War II. A second Pan American Sports Congress, held in London during the 1948 Olympic Games, confirmed Buenos Aires as the host for the inaugural games, which opened on February 25, 1951.
The inaugural Pan American Games featured 18 sports and 2,513 athletes from 14 nations. Argentina topped the medal chart, followed by the United States and then Chile. The games quickly grew, and the following editions saw a steady increase in the number of participating countries and athletes, with new sports added as well.
The Pan American Games are organised by the Organization Deportiva Panamericana (ODEPA). The Pan American Sport Organisation (PASO) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is responsible for selecting the host city, overseeing the planning of the games, updating and approving the sports program, and negotiating sponsorship and broadcasting rights. The games feature thousands of athletes competing in various summer sports, with the host city responsible for organising and funding a celebration of the games consistent with the Olympic Charter and rules.
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41 countries participated in the 2019 games
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held among athletes from nations across North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The games are conducted once every four years, in the year before the Olympic Games. The Pan American Games are the world's third-largest multi-sport event, with over 6,000 athletes from several countries competing in various disciplines.
The 2019 Pan American Games, officially the XVIII Pan American Games, were held in Lima, Peru, from July 26 to August 11, 2019. The event saw 6,680 competitors from 41 countries participate in 419 events across 38 sports, making it the largest Pan American Games in terms of the number of medal events. This was the first time that Peru hosted the games, and the event was the largest sporting event ever held in the country.
The 41 countries that participated in the 2019 Pan American Games were all members of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). PASO allows nations to compete even if they do not meet the strict requirements for political sovereignty that other international organizations demand. This enables colonies and dependencies, such as Puerto Rico and Bermuda, to set up their own National Olympic Committees and compete as separate nations.
The 2019 Games included bodybuilding and surfing for the first time, while basque pelota was reinstated after being absent from the 2015 Games. The official logo of the 2019 Games was inspired by the amancay, an indigenous flower that flourishes from June 24 to September 30. The flower and its pistils represented three athletes with open arms and the three Americas, with the identity of Lima.
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Colonies and dependencies are allowed to compete as separate nations
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held among athletes from nations of the Americas. It is held every four years, specifically during the year before the Summer Olympics. The Pan American Games is the second-oldest continental games in the world.
The Pan American Games Movement consists of international sports federations, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific game. The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) is the decision-making body that is responsible for choosing the host city for each game. There are currently 41 NOCs recognized by PASO.
The Pan American Games allow countries to compete even if they do not meet the strict requirements for political sovereignty that other international organizations demand. As a result, colonies and dependencies are allowed to compete as separate nations. Territories such as Puerto Rico and Bermuda, which are under the jurisdiction of another power, are permitted to set up their own National Olympic Committees and compete as separate nations.
The inaugural 1951 Games hosted 2,513 participants representing 14 nations. The 2019 Pan American Games involved 6,680 competitors from 41 countries. During the games, most athletes and officials are housed in the Pan American Games village, which is intended to be a self-contained home for all the participants.
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The games are held every four years
The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years, in the year before the Summer Olympics. The games are an Olympic-style competition for athletes from all nations of the Americas, including countries in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The inaugural Pan American Games took place in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with over 2500 athletes from 22 countries participating. The games have been held every four years since, with only a few exceptions. The most recent Pan American Games were held in Santiago, Chile, from 20 October to 5 November 2023, with the next games scheduled for 2027.
Throughout its history, the number of countries participating in the Pan American Games has varied. In 1951, 22 countries took part, while 29 countries participated in the 1967 edition in Winnipeg, Canada. The number of countries peaked at 41 in the 2019 edition of the games, held in Lima, Peru, with over 6,000 athletes competing.
The Pan American Games are organised by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), also known as the Organización Deportiva Panamericana (ODEPA). This organisation is headquartered in Mexico City and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The games are governed by the Olympic Charter, which outlines various elements of the opening ceremony, such as the national anthem of the host country and the nations' parade.
The host city for the Pan American Games is selected by PASO, and the games are organised by a temporary committee known as the Organizing Committees for the Pan America Games (PAOGs). The host country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) represents and regulates the Pan American Games movement within the country. Each country's NOC is responsible for entering its athletes into the games.
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Frequently asked questions
22 countries participated in the first Pan American Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951.
41 countries participated in the 2019 Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru.
The Pan American Games are held every four years, in the year before the Olympic Games.
Canada and Mexico are the only countries to have hosted the Pan American Games three times.
Argentina has participated in every Pan American Games, with the exception of the first Games in 1951.











































