2015 Pan American Games

The 17th Pan American Games are to take place in 2015. Over 40 countries from Central America, North America, South America and the Caribbean are expected to participate. [ [http://www.sport4ontario.ca/Groups/PSOC%20News/On_your_mark_for_Pan_Am_bid_7Dec07.pdf On your mark for Pan Am bid] ] The host city bidding process is in the beginning stages. Interested cities need to submit formal bids by October 12, 2008, [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Gross/2008/02/03/4810348-sun.html Bidding for Pan Am Games no pipe-dream] ] likely with a presentation in Acapulco, [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133622.html Ontario Premier Launches 2015 Pan Am Bid In Beijing] ] and the final selection will occur between July [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133713.html Chairman Announced For Southern Ontario 2015 Pan Am Bid] ] and October 2009. [http://www.mississauga.net/article/8962 Pan Am Games destined for Mississauga?] ]

Host city election

While there is no formal rotation policy, the previous games will have been held in the Caribbean (2003), South America (2007), and Mexico (2011). It is suggested that bids from Canada or the United States may have an edge. [ [http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/223186 Pan Ams in 2015, anyone?] ] Furthermore, it is not expected that the US will bid as it may interfere with the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid. [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4075135.html City off list for 2016] ] Nevertheless, South American candidates are expected to lobby as heavily as Canada.

Confirmed bids

* Toronto-Golden Horseshoe, Canada

Having twice missed hosting the Olympic Games, Toronto, along with the Golden Horseshoe region, is considering a bid for the 2015 Pan-American Games. [ [http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20071206_071717_4596 Ontario makes a bid for 2015 Pan-Am Games] ] The plan has been sent to the federal government for approval; the revised budget is set at $1.77 billion. The cost-sharing plan stipulates that Ontario and the federal government each put up 35 per cent or $619.5 million. The city of Toronto and other municipalities hosting events would pay 30 per cent or $531 million, likely with help from the private sector. Toronto is willing to sign on as a main bidder as long as the provincial government picks up most of the tab. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1212865794 Ontario Supports 2015 Pan American Games] ] The Canadian Government approved the bid on August 7, 2008. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133596.html Federal Government Supports Southern Ontario 2015 Pan Am Bid] ]

A new stadium for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is a possible benefit, and St. Catharines has expressed interest in joining the bid, particularly due to their already-existing championship rowing facilities. [ [http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=968932 Row, row, row the Pan Am Games to St. Catharines] ] 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. [ [http://www.thespec.com/Sports/Local%20Sports/article/317549 Area bid to host 2015 Pan Am Games on 'level playing field'] ]

Former Ontario Premier David Peterson has been appointed head of the bid committee. Performing in a voluntary capacity, he has experience as the head of Toronto's previous bids for the Olympics. The bid was formally launched on October2, 2008; the bid head is Jagoda Pike. The bid logo is a stylized maple leaf in green, red, and blue. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133774.html Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid Officially Launched] ]

Potential bids

* Bogotá, Colombia [ [http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=584978&s=pan&type=story No tiene competencia (Spanish)]

The capital city coincided its announcement of candicacy at the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro. [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=2932778&campaign=rss&source=OLYHeadlines Rugby, racquetball will be played at 2011 Pan Am Games] ] Interference from the 2008 Andean diplomatic crisis between Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela seems to have been averted.

* Lima, Peru

Capital of Peru. Also announced its candidacy at the 2007 Games. President Alan Garcia is enthusiastically pushing for upgraded sports infrastructure and athlete training. Should Peru not win the bid, they will pursue a bid for the 2019 edition and possibly the Olympics in the 2020s. [ [http://www.sports-city.org/news_details.php?news_id=4401&idCategory=65 Lima Peru Bids For 2015 Pan American Games, Considers Olympic Bid] ]

Cancelled bids

* Caracas, Venezuela [ [http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=585208&s=pan&type=story Siente que puede hacerlo (Spanish)] ]

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.

The Venezuelan Olympic Committee head Eduardo Alvarez said Venezuela's bid had the support of 10 of the 42 voting nation, for example, Argentina, Cuba and Aruba. President Hugo Chavez also endorsed the bid, but financial support was not guaranteed. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133771.html Venezuela To Bid For 2015 Pan American Games] ] Venezuela announced it would ratify the bid for the Games on October 2, 2008, but on October 10 Caracas dropped out of the race. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/commonwealth_games_bids/1216133802.html Venezuela Drops Out Of 2015 Pan Am Games Race] ]

References