On the Scene in Kingston - PM Teases Vazquez Rana; Toronto 2015 Reports

PM Peppers Vazquez Rana

The Prime Minister of Jamaica took time on Thursday to chide Mario Vazquez Rana for his football prediction.

Speaking in her opening remarks to the Pan American Sports Organization Extraordinary General Assembly in Kington, Portia Simpson-Miller mentioned the PASO president’s prediction that Mexico would defeat Jamaica 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier.

"Fortunately the Reggae Boys demonstrated the strength and courage and fight that was necessary and represented the Caribbean with pride and dignity: nil all," she said. "If we could have done what we did in the Azteca last night, just check what will happen in Kingston, Jamaica for the return!"

She added: "You’re presence here speaks to the fact that sport presents a powerful common bond with links around the world."

PASO Treasury Seems Strong

During his report as treasurer, Danilo Carrera said that PASO’s finances are strong.

Carrera gave a report heavy in accounting projections with numbers that confused PASO delegates as to exactly how much sits in PASO’s coffers.

What is clear: PASO has millions of dollars in the bank.

Carrera said at the end of 2012, PASO has more than $55 million in liquid assets.

"We are the continental organization with the most wealth," Vazquez Rana said. But, he added, "wealth is not in the bank accounts. Wealth is all of us."

Toronto 2015 Adjusts Athlete Numbers, Possibly Schedule

The presentation of Toronto 2015 was the key agenda item on Thursday, taking up over an hour in the afternoon session.

Bob O’Doherty, sports director for the organizing committee, said the athlete quota was increased slightly for the Games to 6,058. He said organizers increased the quota after consultations with International Federations on the sports program.

Michael Fennell, chair of the Toronto 2015 technical commission for PASO, said two events might prompt organizers to tweak competition schedules.

He said the aquatics world championships are scheduled for after the start of the Games. Fennel said "consultation is ongoing" with FINA about creating a larger gap in the schedule. Some swimming events might take place prior to the opening ceremony.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is also scheduled before the Games, and Fennel said organizers were working to ensure female football stars from the Americas could make the Games.

CEO Ian Troop offered a bold, if somewhat cautious prediction.

"Dare I say it," he prognosticated, Toronto will stage "the best Pan American Games ever.

"Without a doubt, when people see what is being built, excitement is ramping up," Troop told delegates. "We are building momentum."

NOC visits for Toronto 2015 will begin April 1, and a list of NOC support programs will be distributed June 30.

Vazquez Rana Analyzes London

President Vazquez Rana congratulated American NOCs for their work at the 2012 Olympics.

"In London, the Americas had the best performance in history. We should now concentrate our athletes to have their best performance ever at the Pan American Games in Toronto and the Olympics in 2016," he said.

"Our NOCs have started to unite and close the gaps that used to separate them and get more medals than they had before."

The PASO Extraordinary General Assembly ends on Friday.

Pan American Games Bid Rules

In Wednesday’s meeting of the PASO Executive Committee, the first rules for bidding for the Pan American Games were approved.

Addressing the General Assembly, judicial chairman Mike Chambers summed up the requirements: campaigns must be marked by a "dignified and moderate character".

To close all loopholes, PASO passed sweeping rules that will apply to all members of a bid city organization, NOC, government and sponsor so that responsibility of actions can’t be ignored.

The rules largely mirror IOC rules for Olympic bids including bid cities are forbidden to give gifts of substantial value, and PASO members can’t visit bid cities outside of "regular business".

NOCs can visit bidding NOCs only once; no cash or "cash equivalent" can be given by bids; and bids can only present themselves at international events if all bids are afforded the same opportunity.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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