(ATR) Pan American Sports Organization President Mario Vazquez Rana predicts an "extraordinary Extraordinary General Assembly" this week.
"It’s going to be great," he said. "PASO is at its best moment. Today we’re strong financially and even more so morally."
One of the topics of discussion is increased funding for National Olympic Committees—more than one million dollars over each quadrennial. This comes following the 2012 PASO General Assembly where Vazquez Rana also announced increased funding for NOCs in the Americas.
Under PASO rules, at an Extraordinary General Assembly, only items on the agenda are up for discussion.
While the usual business items are on tap, reports from the President, Secretary General, Treasurer and Athletes and Legislative commissions, the biggest item will be the bidding for the 2019 Pan American Games.
Bids were due to PASO last week with Bolivar, Venezuela; La Punta, Argentina; Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile making the deadline. PASO insiders speaking confidentially to Around the Rings say Lima and Santiago are the front-runners with the other two seen as longshots.
"We have four great cities that applied," Vazquez Rana said.
"Every time we celebrate the Pan American Games we expect them to be better," he said, adding he views the Gamesas second only to the Olympics.
On Wednesday, PASO’s Executive Committee convenes, with the assembly taking place Thursday and Friday. A press conference from Vazquez Rana is scheduled for Friday.
Representatives from the three 2020 Olympic bids, Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid are also in attendance but they will not make formal presentations. Host of the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing also made the journey to Kingston.
A small group of NOC officials from the Americas will be in Sochi attending the chefs de mission meeting taking place in Sochi this week.
JOA President "Overjoyed" to Play Host
Michael Fennel, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association said he is "overjoyed to welcome our friends from the Americas" to Jamaica.
This is the first time Jamaica has hosted a PASO meeting.
"I’m very excited" he added.
Vazquez Rana endorsed the work saying the event is "well organized." He called the meeting in late 2012, cutting several months out of the usual preparation time for hosts. "I’m very happy," Vazquez Rana said.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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