Santiago embraces Pan American Games that once seemed out of Chile’s reach

SANTIAGO – A Pan American Games that had always seemed out of reach for Chile received a loving embrace on Friday, as Santiago rolled out the welcome mat for nearly 7,000 athletes with a high-energy opening ceremony that buried the sting of past disappointments.

The Chilean capital certainly had reason to celebrate after repeatedly falling short, sometimes disastrously, in their five-decade quest to land the Games.

Twice before, Santiago had been awarded hosting rights (1975 and 1987) but withdrew both times due to financial and political issues and then lost out again in 2019 when Lima took the honours.

Even when Santiago finally won it was by default with Buenos Aires, the only other contender for the 2023 Games, having pulled out.

But how the Games came to Santiago mattered little on a chilly Friday evening, as the Estadio Nacional swelled with pride at hosting the country's biggest sporting event since football's 1962 World Cup.

The majestic snow-capped Andes mountains will provide a picture perfect backdrop for the Oct 20 to Nov 5 multi-sport competition but there are dark clouds threatening.

Officials insist ticket sales have been brisk but a lack of star power in many events, a stagnant economy and crushing inflation have combined to dull the buzz around the Games.

Inside the tightly secured main competition hub, television crews this week had equipment stolen from a compound near the National Stadium, while visitors have been warned to stay vigilant.

Still, it was a carefree start to the Games as the opening ceremonies began with a thumping drum solo by a woman in a sparkling red gown and ended with a booming rock concert and fireworks.

In between, 5,000 performers delivered a mesmerizing Cirque du Soleil style show packed with imagery tracing Chile's history and culture.

As always the Parade of Nations was the focal point of the programme with Argentina, as the first host of the Pan Ams, leading the way onto the field and Chile the last – entering to a mighty roar from an emotional crowd who were on their feet again a few minutes later when President Gabriel Boric declared the Games open.

While the renovated stadium provided the setting for a national celebration, the evening did not ignore the ground's dark history, once used to hold, torture and execute prisoners during a bloody 1973 coup d’etat.

The Pan Am flame entered a silent darkened stadium through a memorial honouring those killed during Augusto Pinochet's reign of terror.

It then made its way to the cauldron where 93-year-old former high jumper Lucy Lopez, silver medallist at the 1951 Pan Am Games, lit the flame with the help of 2004 Olympic doubles gold medallist tennis players Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu.

With the kick-off party over, the hard work begins for both the organisers and athletes, who will compete in 39 sports from swimming and athletics to breakdancing and skateboarding, many serving as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics. REUTERS