Winter Pan American Games
Encyclopedia
The Pan American Sports Organization originally conceived of a Winter Pan American Games after the first Pan American Games
were held in Buenos Aires
in 1951
, but the idea was abandoned due to a lack of interest from member nations. The idea was revived after the 1987 Pan American Games
in Indianapolis
. At a meeting in Mar Del Plata
, Argentina
between the PASO nations and participants from the 1988 Winter Olympics
, it was determined that the first Winter Pan American Games should take place in Las Leñas
, Argentina
in 1989
and be held every four years thereafter.
The inaugural Games were not held in 1989 because of climate conditions and were postponed until the next year. The 1990 Winter Pan American Games
were held from September 16 to 22, with 97 athletes from eight nations participating: Argentina
, Bolivia
, Brazil
, Canada
, Chile
, Colombia
, Mexico
and United States
. Only Canada and the United States won medals.
The second Winter Pan American Games were to take place in Santiago
, Chile
in 1993
, but due to scheduling problems, the United States Olympic Committee
declined to participate, and PASO decided to cancel the Games.
Now there are efforts to bring back the Winter Pan American Games. Some Pan American Olympic committees have tried to initiate meetings to choose a host city for the event, perhaps a city that has hosted the Winter Olympics.
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
were held in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
in 1951
1951 Pan American Games
The 1951 Pan American Games were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 25 February-9 March 1951. The Pan American Games' origins were at the Games of the X Olympiad in Los Angeles, United States, where officials representing the National Olympic Committees of the Americas discussed the staging...
, but the idea was abandoned due to a lack of interest from member nations. The idea was revived after the 1987 Pan American Games
1987 Pan American Games
The 1987 Pan American Games, officially known as the X Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 7 August to 23 August 1987. Over 4,300 athletes from 38 countries in the Americas competed in 30 sports earning...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. At a meeting in Mar Del Plata
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is an Argentine city located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Buenos Aires. Mar del Plata is the second largest city of Buenos Aires Province. The name "Mar del Plata" had apparently the sense of "sea of the Río de la Plata region" or "adjoining sea to the Río de la Plata"...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
between the PASO nations and participants from the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, it was determined that the first Winter Pan American Games should take place in Las Leñas
Las Leñas
Las Leñas is one of the largest Andean ski resorts in Argentina, located in the western part of Mendoza Province, together with Cerro Catedral in San Carlos de Bariloche, located in Rio Negro province....
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 1989
1989 in sports
1989 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:...
and be held every four years thereafter.
The inaugural Games were not held in 1989 because of climate conditions and were postponed until the next year. The 1990 Winter Pan American Games
1990 Winter Pan American Games
The 1990 Winter Pan American Games was held in Las Leñas, Argentina from September 16 to September 22, 1990. It was the only Winter Pan American Game realized. 97 athletes from 8 countries participated in 1 sport .- Medal table :...
were held from September 16 to 22, with 97 athletes from eight nations participating: Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Colombia
Colombia
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...
, 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...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Only Canada and the United States won medals.
The second Winter Pan American Games were to take place in Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
in 1993
1993 in sports
1993 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Anita Wachter, Austria-American football:...
, but due to scheduling problems, the United States Olympic Committee
United States Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
declined to participate, and PASO decided to cancel the Games.
Now there are efforts to bring back the Winter Pan American Games. Some Pan American Olympic committees have tried to initiate meetings to choose a host city for the event, perhaps a city that has hosted the Winter Olympics.
Locations
| Year | Games | Host City | Country | Date | Athletes | Nations | Sports | Most Gold Medals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | I 1990 Winter Pan American Games The 1990 Winter Pan American Games was held in Las Leñas, Argentina from September 16 to September 22, 1990. It was the only Winter Pan American Game realized. 97 athletes from 8 countries participated in 1 sport .- Medal table :... |
Las Leñas Las Leñas Las Leñas is one of the largest Andean ski resorts in Argentina, located in the western part of Mendoza Province, together with Cerro Catedral in San Carlos de Bariloche, located in Rio Negro province.... |
 ArgentinaArgentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... |
September 16 - September 22 | 97 | 8 | 1 |  United StatesUnited States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| 1993 | not held | Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... |
 Chile |
cancelled | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |