Bids for the 2015 Pan American Games

Last updated
Bids for the
2015 (2015) Pan and Parapan
American Games
Overview
XVII Pan American Games
V Parapan American Games
Toronto bid logo for the 2015 Pan American Games.svg
Winner: Toronto
Runner-up: Lima
Candidate: Bogota
Details
Committee PASO
Election venue Guadalajara, Mexico
47th PASO General Assembly
Map
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
BlankMap-World.svg
Location of the bidding cities
Important dates
BidOctober 11, 2008
DecisionNovember 6, 2009
Decision
Winner Toronto  (33 votes)
Runner-up Lima  (11 votes)

Three cities submitted bids to host the 2015 Pan American Games and Parapan games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), all three of which made the PASO Executive Committee's shortlist. The games were awarded to Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 6, 2009. The other shortlisted cities were Lima, Peru and Bogota, Colombia. Toronto won an absolute majority of votes after just one round of voting, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds of voting. PASO delegates and the media identified a number of factors in its favor, including the size of the country, safety, experience in staging multi sporting events, government guarantees, security, and cleanliness. Moreover, the other two nations are not as developed, and with the troubles faced with the 2011 Pan American Games, Toronto was seen as the favourite. Mario Vazquez Rana, the president of the Pan American Sports Organization was also known to be favouring Toronto. [1] Moreover, the head of Lima's bid Ricardo Mungi even admitted Toronto was the best choice as they had the facilities and budget to stage the games. [2]

Contents

Host city selection

Because there is no longer a formal process of rotation between the 3 Regions of the Americas policy,and the previous games would have been held in Central America/Caribbean (2003), South America (2007), and North America (2011). It was suggested that bids from Canada or the United States may have an edge. [3] The United States did not bid so as not to interfere with its ultimately unsuccessful 2016 Olympic bid. [4] Nevertheless, South American candidates lobbied as heavily as Canada did.

On November 6, 2009 in Guadalajara, Mexico, the candidate cities made their final presentations to the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). [5] After the first round of ballots, the host was announced by PASO as Toronto. [6]

2015 Pan American Games bidding results
CityNOCRound 1
Toronto Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 33
Lima Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 11
Bogotá Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 7

Candidate cities

Rogers Centre, Toronto's proposed stadium to host the opening and closing ceremony Rogers Center-restitched.jpg
Rogers Centre, Toronto's proposed stadium to host the opening and closing ceremony
Logo
Transparent bar.svg
CityCountryNational Olympic CommitteeResult
Toronto bid logo for the 2015 Pan American Games.svg Toronto Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Canadian Olympic Committee (COC)Winner

Having twice bid for hosting the Olympic Games (unofficially six times since 1960), [7] Toronto, along with other communities in the area known as the Greater Golden Horseshoe, bid for the 2015 Pan-American Games. [8] The budget was set at $2.43 billion ($1.43 billion for the games and $1 billion for the village). The cost-sharing plan stipulated that Ontario and the federal government each contribute 35 per cent of the funding, or $500 million each. The city of Toronto, other hosting partners, and games revenue were expected to pay the remaining 30 per cent. All levels of government approved the bid. The federal government approved the bid on August 7, 2008. [9]

The new Hamilton stadium for athletics, situated on the waterfront harbour, that was included in the bid may have been a future venue for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. St. Catharines had expressed interest in joining the bid, particularly due to their already-existing championship rowing facilities. [10] Canadian Olympic Committee president Michael Chambers met with Pan American Sports Organization president Mario Vazquez Rana in January 2008 and was assured PASO had not unofficially anointed another candidate. [11]

Former Ontario Premier David Peterson had been appointed head of the bid committee. Performing in a voluntary capacity, he had experience as the head of Toronto's previous bids for the Olympics. [12] The bid was formally launched on October 2, 2008; the bid head was Jagoda Pike. The bid logo was a maple leaf in green, red, and blue. [13]

Lima 2015 Pan American Bid Games logo.svg Lima Flag of Peru.svg  Peru Peruvian Olympic Committee (COP)First runner-up

The capital of Peru also announced its candidacy at the 2007 Games. [14] President of Peru Alan Garcia was enthusiastically pushing for upgraded sports infrastructure and athlete training. Should Peru not win the bid, they planned to pursue a bid for the 2019 edition and possibly the Olympics in the 2020s. [15] after their defeat, Lima successfully bid for the next edition of the Pan Am games.

The head of the Peruvian committee, Carlos Paz Soldan, said Peru deserved to host as a country which has never hosted before. Both of other two bid cities are in countries which had previously hosted. [16]

Authorities announced plans for construction of new sport facilities and the remodeling of existing ones, such as the 45,000 seat Estadio Nacional, [17] which recently hosted the Copa América 2004.

Bogota 2015 Pan American Bid Games logo.svg Bogotá Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia Colombian Olympic Committee (COC)Second runner-up

The capital city of Colombia coincided its announcement of candidacy at the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro. [14] Interference with the bid effort from the 2008 Andean diplomatic crisis between Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela seemed to have been averted.

With a budget of $950 million if the bid was successful, [18] Bogota was touting its ideal year-round spring-like weather and its central geographical position in the Americas. Eighty percent of the required sporting facilities were already in place; new facilities would need to be built for tennis, track and field, and the Athletes' village. Also, the venues would be only six kilometers apart. [18]

Mayor Samuel Moreno Rojas also touted other cultural and sporting attractions in the city, which include over 50 museums and 313 km (194 mi). of bike paths. [16] He did acknowledge Bogota's altitude of 2,650 metres was a disadvantage. [18]

In sizing up the competition, Moreno added, "Toronto also has excellent infrastructure - they have an advantage on us in some aspects. But some venues there are 60 kilometres apart". If chosen, Bogotá would have become the second Colombian city to host a Pan American Games, after Cali (1971). [18]

Caracas Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV)Canceled bid

This capital city hosted the 1983 Pan American Games and already has the Estadio Olímpico de la UCV in place. It announced its candidacy at the 2007 Games. [14] President Hugo Chavez also endorsed the bid, but financial support was not guaranteed. [19] On October 10 Caracas dropped out of the race without comment; [20] PASO sources suggest they withdrew to avoid splitting the vote among three South American candidates. [16]

Showed preliminary interest

The city of Mar del Plata indicated preliminary interest in bidding for the games to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Pan American Games held in the city. However, at the bidding deadline the city decided against bidding for the games. [21]

San Jose initially indicated an interest in bidding the games, in the end San Jose decided against bidding. If San Jose was successful, it would have become the first city to stage the Pan American Games in Central America. [21]

As of April 2009, Birmingham mayor Larry Langford was discussing a bid, but the deadline to apply had already passed. [22]

The United States showed preliminary interest in bidding with one of three cities (Chicago, Miami or Detroit). However, the country decided to not bid for the games, because it decided to bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics with Chicago. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pan American Games</span> Multi-sport event of the Americas

The Pan American Games is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas featuring summer sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The competition is held among athletes from nations of the Americas, every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games. It's the oldest continental games in the world. The only Winter Pan American Games were held in 1990. In 2021, the Junior Pan American Games was held for the first time specifically for young athletes. The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) is the governing body of the Pan American Games movement, whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Pan American Games</span> International sports competition

The 1999 Pan American Games, officially the XIII Pan American Games or the 13th Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event that was held from July 23 to August 8, 1999, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and surrounding towns and cities. Canoeing competitions started the day before the games officially begun. Approximately 5,000 athletes from 42 nations participated at the games. A total of 330 medal events in 34 sports and 42 disciplines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Pan American Games</span> 16th edition of the Pan American Games

The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa. It was the largest multi-sport event of 2011, with approximately 6,000 athletes from 42 nations participating in 36 sports. Both the Pan American and Parapan American Games were organized by the Guadalajara 2011 Organizing Committee (COPAG). The 2011 Pan American Games were the third Pan American Games hosted by Mexico and the first held in the state of Jalisco. Previously, Mexico hosted the 1955 Pan American Games and the 1975 Pan American Games, both in Mexico City. The 2011 Parapan American Games were held 20 days after the Pan American Games have ended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Pan American Games</span> 17th edition of the Pan American Games

The 2015 Pan American Games, officially the XVII Pan American Games and commonly known as the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games, were a major international multi-sport event celebrated in the tradition of the Pan American Games, as governed by Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The games were held from July 10 to 26, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; preliminary rounds in certain events began on July 7, 2015. These were the third Pan American games hosted by Canada, and the first in the province of Ontario. The Games were held at venues in Toronto and seventeen other Golden Horseshoe communities. The Pan American Games and 2015 Parapan American Games were organized by the Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games (TO2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada at the Pan American Games</span> Sporting event delegation

Canada has competed at every edition of the Pan American Games since the second edition of the multi-sport event in 1955. As of the last Pan American Games in 2019, Canada is third on the all time medals list, only behind the United States and Cuba. Canada is also one of nine countries to have competed at the only Winter Pan American Games, and only of one two to win a medal at the games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Pan American Games</span> 18th edition of the Pan American Games

The 2019 Pan American Games, officially the XVIII Pan American Games and commonly known as the Lima 2019 Pan-Am Games or Lima 2019, were a multi-sport event governed by the Panam Sports Organization, were held in Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11, 2019, with preliminary rounds in certain events having begun on July 24, 2019. These were the first Pan American Games to be held in Peru, and the seventh to be held in South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venues of the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games</span>

The 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games venues were mostly located in the host city of Toronto, Ontario, though some events required facilities located elsewhere. Besides Toronto, fourteen other municipalities in Southern Ontario hosted competitions: Ajax, Hamilton, Innisfil, Markham, Milton, Minden, Mississauga, Mono, Oro-Medonte, Oshawa, Palgrave, St. Catharines, Welland and Whitby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Parapan American Games</span> 5th edition of the Parapan American Games

The 2015 Parapan American Games, officially the V Parapan American Games and commonly known as the Toronto 2015 ParaPan-Am Games, were a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, celebrated in the tradition of the Parapan American Games as governed by the Americas Paralympic Committee, held from August 7 to 15, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Marking the first Parapan American games hosted by Canada, and the second major Paralympic sports event hosted by Toronto since the 1976 Summer Paralympics, the Games were held at venues in Toronto and four other Golden Horseshoe communities. Both the Parapan American and Pan American Games were organized by the Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee (TO2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pan American Games sports</span> Sports included in the Pan American Games

The Pan American Games sports comprise all the sports contested in the Summer Olympic Games. In addition, traditional and popular sports throughout the Americas which are not contested at the Olympic Games are also contested such as bowling and baseball. As of 2015, the Pan American Games included 36 sports with 51 disciplines and 364 events. The number and kinds of events may change slightly from one Pan American Games to another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics</span>

The bidding for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics Games began on 2 February 2009, with cities presented their candidature files. In the competition to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2014, the IOC list three cities in December 2009. Guadalajara officially withdrew the bid on 22 January 2010, two weeks after the release of the IOC evaluation commission's report and less than three weeks before the final vote in Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2019 Pan American Games</span>

Four cities submitted bids to host the 2019 Pan American Games and Parapan games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), all four of which made the PASO Executive Committee's shortlist. PASO selected a host city for the 2019 Pan American Games at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Canada on October 11, 2013, which Lima won. The other shortlisted cities were Santiago, Chile, La Punta, Argentina, and Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics</span> Selection process for upcoming Summer Olympics

Five bids were initially submitted for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Following withdrawals, two bidding cities—Paris and Los Angeles—were left in the process. In July 2017, the IOC agreed to award the 2024 and 2028 Games simultaneously. Los Angeles agreed to bid for the 2028 Games, effectively ceding the 2024 Games to Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2023 Pan American Games</span>

PASO received two bids to host the 2023 Pan American Games and Parapan games from Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Later in the bidding process, Buenos Aires withdrew their bid, leaving Santiago as the sole bidder. Santiago was elected as the host city on November 4, 2017. PASO originally intended to hold the host city election in Lima, Peru which would also be the venue of the 55th PASO General Assembly, but moved the venue to Prague, Czech Republic, the venue of the 22nd ANOC General Assembly to allow Peru to focus on Pan American Games preparations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2011 Pan American Games</span>

Only one city submitted a bid to host the 2011 Pan American Games and Parapan Games that was recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). Guadalajara, Mexico was selected by PASO unanimously as the host for 16th Pan American Games on Friday, June 2, 2006, at its 44th general assembly held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Guadalajara was the only city to officially bid for the 2011 Pan American Games; this may have been in part due to no announced and/or open candidature period for the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2007 Pan American Games</span>

Two cities submitted bids to host the 2007 Pan American Games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization. PASO selected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil over San Antonio, United States as the host for 15th Pan American Games on August 24, 2002, at its general assembly held in Mexico City, Mexico by a vote of 30 to 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 2003 Pan American Games</span>

Three cities submitted bids to host the 2003 Pan American Games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization. Santo Domingo was selected by PASO to host the XIV Pan American Games in the second round of voting on December 6, 1998, at its general assembly held in Panama City, Panama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 1999 Pan American Games</span>

Three cities submitted bids to host the 1999 Pan American Games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization. The voting took place on July 31, 1994, in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 1991 Pan American Games</span>

Havana, Cuba was the only non-withdrawn bid to host the 1991 Pan American Games. At the Pan American Games Assembly, from November 12 to 14, 1986, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Mar del Plata withdrew its bid, leaving Havana as the winner to host the Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 1971 Pan American Games</span>

Three cities submitted bids to host the 1971 Pan American Games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization. On July 22, 1967, Cali was selected over Santiago and Champ, Missouri by PASO at its general assembly, held at the Manitoba Medical College in Winnipeg, Canada, to host the VI Pan American Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bids for the 1979 Pan American Games</span>

Two cities submitted bids to host the 1979 Pan American Games that were recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). However, Bolivia dropped out of the race, leaving San Juan as the only candidate city. On May 31, 1973, San Juan was selected to host the VIII Pan American Games by PASO at its general assembly in Santiago, Chile.

References

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  3. Pan Ams in 2015, anyone?
  4. City off list for 2016
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  7. Pan Am Games destined for Mississauga?
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  10. "Row, row, row the Pan Am Games to St. Catharines". Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  11. Area bid to host 2015 Pan Am Games on 'level playing field'
  12. Chairman Announced For Southern Ontario 2015 Pan Am Bid
  13. Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid Officially Launched Archived October 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. 1 2 3 Rugby, racquetball would be played at 2011 Pan Am Games
  15. Lima Peru Bids For 2015 Pan American Games, Considers Olympic Bid
  16. 1 2 3 Three Remaining 2015 Pan Am Bid's Make Presentations
  17. "Lima applied to host Pan American Games in 2015". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Bogota 2015 Will Present To Odesur Assembly
  19. Venezuela To Bid For 2015 Pan American Games Archived 2010-12-29 at the Wayback Machine
  20. Venezuela Drops Out Of 2015 Pan Am Games Race Archived 2010-12-29 at the Wayback Machine
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