General Overview

Defeating Rio de Janeiro on the ellection, the north american city of Cleveland became the host for the III Pan American Games. However, The Congress of the United States denied a donation of US$ 5 millions. The USA had another business in their schedule to give more importance, such as the space program (which would fail against the Soviet Union).

Anyway, the games were moved to Chicago. The male athletes were put on a local university, while the women on a hotel. There were complains against the football and sailing venues. The host team used the games as a rehearsal for the Olympics in Rome, 1960.

The Opening Ceremonies

The Opening ceremony was realized the day 27 August at Soldier Field Stadium, before 40.000 spectators. The ceremony began with a concert of the Women's Air Force Band. A 24 gun salute was performed, as well for the USA anthem. 2263 athletes from 25 nations marched in review. The United States flag was carried by Ray Norton, a sprinter. Dr. Milton Eisenhower, representing his brother, the president Dwight D. Eisenhower, greeted the athletes and declared the games open. The PASO flag is raised and 15 years old Eagle Scout Ronald Rodriguez carried the flame and lighted the cauldron (the relay began on Mexico City and was carried by several boy scouts and mexicans)

The Competitions

North American Al Oerter, on disc trowing, got the first place very easy (he got 4 golds in the olympics, 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968). At basketball, the USA team had a future legend of the NBA on their players: Jerry West shined with the LA Lakers and gave his silhouette for the famouslogo of the NBA (which is used today). Other main figure on basket was Oscar Robertson, professional champion with Milwaukee Bucks on 1971 with Kareen Abdul-Jabbar. The first and only cyclism brazilian gold was done by Anesio Argenton, from Sao Paulo. Venezuela conquered gold in baseball for the first time, followed by Puerto Rico and Brazil.

On athletics, USA won 18 out of a possible 22 gold medals at Soldier Field. Ray Norton won double gold in the 100m and 200m, tying the 200m world record, and adding a third in the 4x100m Relay. Argentina's Oswaldo Suarez repeated his 1955 gold in the 10,000m. Other outstanding feats included: Don Bragg overcoming an infected heel to set a Pan-Am record in the Pole Vault; Dave Edstrom, with Rafer Johnson injured, dominating the Decathlon; and Adhemar da Silva (BRA) on his third consecutive gold medal in the Triple Jump. 17 Pan-Am records were set or equaled.

The Closing Ceremonies

*Under Construction

Curious facts of the Games

-Jack Kelly, brother of the famous actress (and future princess of Monaco) Grace Kelly, was the one who performed the Athlete's Oath.

-Some brazilian athletes bough north american cars during the Pan American Games and returned with them to their home country.

-Sailing was introduced for the first time in the games, with Bahamas claiming two golds (on Star and Finn classes). They had the same number of medals like two other caribbean countries: Jamaica and Cuba.

Final Medal Table