2011 Pan American Games opening ceremony
Encyclopedia
The opening ceremony of the 2011 Pan American Games
took place on October 14, 2011, beginning at 20:00 CDT (1:00 UTC, October 15) at Omnilife Stadium in Guadalajara
, Jalisco
, Mexico
. The opening ceremony was directed and produced by Five Currents, which also produced the ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympics
and the 2007 Pan American Games
.
singer Juanes
is scheduled to perform as is Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández
who is scheduled to perform the song "El Mismo Sol" the official theme of the Games at the ceremony. His father Vicente Fernández
is also scheduled to perform the Mexican anthem at the games.
and ending with the host nation, Mexico
. Excluding Argentina and Mexico, the delegations entered by Spanish alphabetical order as per Pan American Sports Organization protocols, which also happened to be the official languages of the host nation.
and the world were projected to watch the opening ceremony.
2011 Pan American Games
The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa...
took place on October 14, 2011, beginning at 20:00 CDT (1:00 UTC, October 15) at Omnilife Stadium in Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The opening ceremony was directed and produced by Five Currents, which also produced the ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
and the 2007 Pan American Games
2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
.
Production
The opening ceremony was originally scheduled to be held at the older and bigger Jalisco Stadium, but the organizing committee for the Games (COPAG) decided to switch the ceremony venue to Omnilife Stadium, because it has better infrastructure and technological capability to host the event. Another reason stated was the close distance between Omnilife Stadium and the athletes village, which would help expedite the transfer of athletes and ensure their safety.Program
ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
singer Juanes
Juanes
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez , better known as Juanes is a Colombian musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards.Juanes has sold more than 13 million albums...
is scheduled to perform as is Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández is a Mexican singer. Nicknamed as "El Potrillo" by the media and his fans, he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Alejandro is the son of the ranchera singer Vicente Fernández. He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk music, such as...
who is scheduled to perform the song "El Mismo Sol" the official theme of the Games at the ceremony. His father Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández Gómez is a Mexican singer, producer and actor. Known as Chente or El rey de la canción ranchera throughout the Latin world, Vicente Fernández, who started his career singing for tips on the street, has become a cultural icon, recording more than 50 albums and contributing to...
is also scheduled to perform the Mexican anthem at the games.
Parade of the Nations
The participating countries marched in, beginning with ArgentinaArgentina at the 2011 Pan American Games
Argentina will compete at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 14 to 30, 2011.-Medalists:|align="left" valign="top"||align="left" valign="top"|- Archery:...
and ending with the host nation, Mexico
Mexico at the 2011 Pan American Games
Mexico will host the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 14 to 30, 2011. Mexico has competed in every edition of the Pan American Games since the first games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mexico will begin their participation having achieved 782 medals in total with 155...
. Excluding Argentina and Mexico, the delegations entered by Spanish alphabetical order as per Pan American Sports Organization protocols, which also happened to be the official languages of the host nation.
Dignitaries and other officials in attendance
- Felipe CalderónFelipe CalderónFelipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
, President of MexicoPresident of MexicoThe President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces... - Jacques RoggeJacques RoggeJacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...
, President of the International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president... - Mario Vázquez RañaMario Vazquez RañaMario Vázquez Raña is a Mexican businessman and sports administrator, who has served on both national and Olympic committees...
, President of the Pan American Sports Organization and Association of National Olympic Committees - Emilio González MárquezEmilio González MárquezEmilio González Márquez is a Mexican politician affiliated to the National Action Party . He is the current Governor of Jalisco.-Political career:...
, Governor of JaliscoGovernor of JaliscoThe following is a list of governors of the Mexican state of Jalisco from 1921. The current constitution indicates a term 6 years in length, which cannot be renewed under any circumstances. It also stipulates the qualifications for becoming governor: a Mexican citizen by birth, at least 30 years of... - Bal GosalBal GosalBaljit Gosal, is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2011 election...
, Canadian Minister of SportMinister of State (Sport)Minister of State is the person responsible for Sport Canada, who reports to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.List of Ministers:* Hon. Gary Lunn* Hon. Bal Gosal... - Andrade Garin, Head of the Guadalajara 2011 Organizing committee for the 2011 Pan and Parapan American Games (COPAG)
- Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval, Mayor of GuadalajaraGuadalajaraGuadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
- Earl Anthony WayneEarl Anthony WayneEarl Anthony Wayne is a United States international policy maker and diplomat. In June, 2011, Wayne was nominated by President Barack Obama to be ambassador to Mexico.-Life and education:...
, United States Ambassador to MexicoUnited States Ambassador to MexicoThe United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Mexico since 1823, when Andrew Jackson was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to that country. Jackson declined the appointment, however, and Joel R. Poinsett became the first U.S. envoy to Mexico in 1825. The rank... - Julie Ertel, former water poloWater poloWater polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
and triathlonTriathlonA triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
athlete (United States) - Allyson FelixAllyson FelixAllyson Felix is a track and field sprint athlete, who competes internationally for the United States, primarily in the 200 meters. She also competes at the 100 meters and the 400 meters distances...
, track and fieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete (United States) - Julio MaglioneJulio MaglioneDr. Julio César Maglione is a member of the International Olympic Committee from Uruguay. He has been an IOC member since 1996....
, member of the IOCInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
representing UruguayUruguayUruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
and the president of FINAFinaFina may refer to:*Fina, a character in the Skies of Arcadia video game*FINA, the International Swimming Federation*FINA, the North American Forum on Integration... - Rafael MárquezRafael MárquezRafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
, Mexican football player - Julio César ChávezJulio César ChávezJulio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world...
, Mexican boxerBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
Reception
An estimated 130 million people across the AmericasAmericas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
and the world were projected to watch the opening ceremony.