General Overview

The II Pan American Games were hosted by Mexico City, city which would later host the Olympics in 1968. They affirmed as the best latin american hosts because of the political and economical stability back then. The United States began their continental reign, sending a bigger and stronger delegation, from which 25 of 365 athletes were olympic and world champions.

Because of criticism by the International Olympic Comittee, the PASO decided to create it's own flag and logo in the 1955 session, which was started to be used for the first time on these games.

The Opening Ceremonies

100.000 spectators attended the Universitary Stadium for the Opening Ceremonies.2583 athletes from 22 nations marched in review on spanish alphabetical order, leaded by Argentina (first host of the game) and ended by the host team, Mexico. The extreme heat cause two members of the US delegation to collapse on the track. Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez, president of Mexico, declared the games open, and 2000 doves were released. The Olympic and PASO flags were hoisted and a Pan American Hymn composed by Armando Gonzales was performed. The pan american flame, lit on La Estrella (where the aztecs kept their sacred fires) entered the stadium and the cauldron was lighted by Eligio Garcia, Central American and Caribbean games champion in the 300m steeplechase. Mexican diver Joan Capilla took the athlete's oath.

The Competitions

The Dominican Republic baseball team obtanied gold against Mexico, defeating the favorites Venezuela and USA. Argentine athlete Enrique Valiente beat the shooting world record on these games. Luiz Inacio claimed the first gold for brazilian boxing at the games.

Despite fears because of Mexico City high altitude, there were only few cases of lack of oxygen by the athletes. US got 15 golds, 11 silvers and 5 bronze medals. Adhemar Ferreira da Silva (Brazil) won his second consecutive triple jump gold. Argentina's Oswaldo Suarez won both the 5000m and 10.000m. Future olympic champion Rafer Johnson won the Decathlon title.

At swimming, USA won 6 of 8 events. Argentina became the champion at football, defeating Mexico (Silver) and the Netherlands Antilles claimed bronze. Mexico dominated at the tennis events. At cycling, equality was in evidence as each of the four events was won by athletes representing different nations. The major story was the 4000m Pursuit. In the bronze medal race, the U.S. was reduced to three riders due to the sudden illness of Alfred Stiller. Thus weakened, the U.S. lost by 10 seconds.

The Closing Ceremonies

*Under Construction

Curious facts of the Games

-Avery Brundage assumed the presidency of the International Olympic Comittee and was one of the principal promoters of the Pan American Games. ''Only the olympics surpass the greatness of the Pan Am Games'', he stated at the opening ceremony

-The high amexican altitude (2.235m) became a great enemy against various athletes. One of the most affected was the brazilian swimmer Isa Teixeira.

-Volleyball and Sycronized swimming was added to the events on the Pan American Games, but the Equestrian Pole was eliminated forever (it was only played at Buenos Aires 1951, since it was a popular sport on Argentina)

Final Medal Table