WINNIPEG '99  XIII PAN AMERICAN GAMES

INTRODUCTION

Winnipeg and several other Manitoba cities and towns will be hosting the 1999 Pan American Games on July 23 to August 8, 1999. Around five thousand athletes from 42 nations will compete in 41 sports, making the '99 Games one of the largest multi-sport event held in North America. This page will try to bring you information related to Martial Arts events, like Karate, Taekwondo and Judo which are included on these games. Also it will be information about the different school of Karate, Taekwondo and Judo that you can find in Winnipeg. I will try to post information about other tournament on those sport around the World. I hope you find this information useful. If you would like to contribute to this page please do so. Any information you have which will be the interest to others send it to me and I will try my best to include it.

HISTORY OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES

The International Olympic Committee ( IOC ), created the Pan American Games in 1932. The main idea for creating the Pan American Games was because the leaders of the different sports of the American continent wanted to be more competitive in the Olympic Games. The American sports leader understood that they will achieve greater development by organizing regional games. 1942 was the date chosen for the 1st Pan American Games, however, because of the 2nd World War it was postpone. Finally, in 1951 the 1st Pan American Games were hold in Argentina. 2513 athletes from 22 countries compete in 19 different sports during February 25 to March 9. Argentina won first place with 68 gold, 44 silver and 34 bronze medals followed by the United States (44-33-18) and Cuba (9-9-10). The games are held every four years. The Pan American Sports Organization ( PASO ), which represent 42 countries, are the governing body of the Pan Am Games.

Mexico ( Mexico city ),was the host country who for the 2nd Pan American Games in 1955. 2583 athletes from 22 countries meet to compete in 17 different sports. This event last for 15 days. Sports such as yachting, equestrian polo, volleyball (men's and women's), synchronized swimming and basketball for both sexes were included in the second games, making possible a greater participation by women.
The United States came first in the competitions with 177 titles followed by  Argentina (73) and the host country, Mexico (58).

United States ( Chicago ) was the host country for the 3rd Pan American Games in 1959. From August 27 to September 7, 2263 athletes from 25 nations participated on 18 different sports. The athletes of the host country showed their superiority over their rivals in the following sports: swimming, basketball, athletics, volleyball (women), target shooting, weight lifting, diving (women) and fencing.
The poor government support given to underdeveloped countries in the region, for the development of sport, was noticeable this time. This was deduced by the great difference in the number of medals gained by the winning country -the United States: 236 (115-69-52)  and Argentine, in second place, with only got 39 (9-19-11).

Brazil ( Sao Pablo ) was the host country for the 4th Pan American Games in 1963. This time the event had a considerable decrease in the number of participants. Only 1771 athletes compete in 19 different sports from 22 countries attended this event  which lacked spectacular moments. However a brilliant performance was attained by some Cuban athletes which reflected the importance given to sport by the government that emerged in 1959. On this occasion, Cuba occupied 5th place in the table of  positions.

Canada ( Winnipeg ), was the host country for the 5th Pan American Games in 1967. From July 24 to August 6, 2361 athletes from 29 countries (1538 men and 272 women) attended the tournament to compete in 19 different sports. The United States kept its leadership in these games but Cuba once again demonstrated its strength by winning several titles in different sports.

Colombia ( Cali ), was the host country for the 6th Pan American Games in 1971. From July 25 to August 8, 2935 athletes from 32 countries got together to compete on 17 different sports.
Cuban triple jumper Pedro Pirez Duena was the showman of this edition with a jump of 17.40 m which surpassed the world record previously won by Soviet Victor Sanciev.
Another exceptional figure was Jamaican Donald Quarrie, who won the gold medal in the 100 and 200 meters races.
Cuba occupied second place in the classification by countries list and won titles in baseball and women and men's volleyball. It came second in water polo and third in basketball, sport when the North American team was eliminated for the first time in the  history of the games.

Chile decided not to organize the games after the assassinate of President Salvador Allende by the dictator general Augusto Pinochet who take over the government in 1973. The same happened with Brazil -the sub-setting- as a result of economic problems two years before the games were to begin. So, once again Mexico ( Mexico city )organized the 7th Pan American Games in 1975. This nation fully fulfilled its commitment despite the little time  available for organizing the competition. 33 countries and 3146 athletes got together to compete on 19 different sports. This event last 15 days, from October 12 to October 26. Cuba won gold medals not only in baseball and boxing but also in athletics with  the outstanding time (13.44 s) of Cuban hurdle runner, Alejandro Casanas, who put an end to the North Americans' supremacy in this  discipline.

Puerto Rico ( San Juan ), was host country for the 8th Pan American Games in 1979. This event last 15 days and attended by 3700 competitors from 34 countries. They compete on 22 different sports. For the first time, the event was spread over different localities in the country.
Once again, the North American delegation was followed by the Cubans in the medal table. Cuba was second with 145 medals (64-47-34) and the United States won 266 medals (126-95-45).
Athletes such as Cuban sprinter Silvio Leonard, champion in 100 and 200 m with a time of 10:13, and North American Reynaldo Nchemiah in the 110 m hurdle race, who set a new world record with a time of  13:20 s stood out.

Venezuela ( Caracas ) hosted the 9th Pan American Games in August 1983. On this event 3426 athletes from 36 nations got together to compete on 25 different sports. This time, many interesting events occurred such as Nicaragua's victory over the United States in baseball while fighting for second place. Cuban once again retained first place in this sport.
Puerto Rican Jorge Gonzalez won the 42 km and 195 m marathon and Cuban Leandro Penalver stopped the electronic clock in 10.06 seconds  setting a new Pan American record. Cuba obtained 175 medals (79-53-43).

United States ( Indianapolis ) organized the 10th Pan American Games in 1987. These Games were supposed to be held in Chile, and in Ecuador but both countries withdrew for economic problems. Cuba wanted to organize this games, in order to preserve continuity of the games; however, the Pan American Sport Organization gave the privilege to Indianapolis. 4453 athletes from 38 countries got together to compete on 27 different sports.
As was expected, the North Americans widely dominated in swimming, athletics, handball (Women and men's), target shooting and  women's basketball, among others. Meanwhile, Cuba did won in baseball, boxing, volleyball (women and men's), greco-roman wrestling, fencing  (women and men's) and weight lifting. Mexico distinguished itself in long distance races, swimming and mixed tennis doubles, an sport in which it won the gold medal with Lucila Becerra and Gilberto Cicero.
Brazil did  very well in judo and men's basketball moving the U.S.A. from first place, while Puerto Rico occupied the third position. Finally, the Costa Rican swimmer Sylvia Poll, won 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, was the protagonist.
A month before the celebration of the 10th games, Cuba was chosen to host the 11th ones during a meeting held in Barbados.

Cuba ( Havana ), was the host country for the 11th Pan American Games in 1991. 4519 athletes from 39 countries got together to compete on 31 different sports. This event will never be forgotten, not only for the organization and friendship offered to the visitors but  also for the convincing triumph of the Cubans, which displaced the United States from first place.
The North American delegation was taken by surprised, particularly its leaders, because they had underestimated Cubans' power in some of the sports which had been customarily dominated by them. So, thus for their miscalculation.
Cuba led the final classification by countries with 140 gold, 62 silver and 63 bronze medals followed by the United States with 130-125-97, Canada 22-46-59, Brazil 21-21-37, Mexico 14-23-28 and Argentina 11-15-29.

Argentina ( Mar Del Plata ), was the host country for the 12th Pan American Games in 1995. 5144 athletes from 42 countries got together to compete on 34 different sports.

CANADA ( Winnipeg ) will be the host for the 13th Pan American Games in 1999.  From July 23 to August 8, 5000 athletes from 42 countries will get together to compete in 38 sports, making the '99 Games the third-largest multi-sport event ever held in North America. It is estimated that Winnipeg will spend approximately $425 million in preparing for the games. It is projected that the games will draw 110,000 visitors and athletes who will put more than $28 million into the Manitoba economy. Below you will find some information about  the sports, Countries and locations where these event are to be hold :
Sports

Countries

Major events will be held in Winnipeg. Other events such as rowing, canoe/kayak will be held at Minnedosa Lake. Cycling will be held in Brandon and mountain biking in La Riviere. Some events will be held in Gimli and others in Portage La Prairie.

Location of Events

Disclaimer: This site is not an official site of the Pan American Games, also this site does not represent any institution, association, and others. This is my personal contribution to the Pan American Games.
More information about the Pan-American Games can be found at the Official Web Site and at the Winnipeg Free Press Pan American Games 1999 Site.