On the Scene - First Reviews for Pan Am Games

First Reviews Positive Says Games Chief

The Pan American Games are progressing "in general very well," Ivar Sisniega, director of sports and operations, tells Around the Rings.

Ams, but I think it was a very emotional ceremony. All the spectators really got into it and I think the athletes, the spirit was contagious everybody came out with very high spirits.

"The competitions got off to a good start, maybe not perfect because Mexico didn’t win any gold medals on the first day, but I think they were saving it so it would be my sport to have the first gold medal for Mexico, so for me it’s kind of a special moment right now."

Oscar Soto of Mexico edged Andrei Gheorghe of Guatemala, in men’s modern pentathlon Saturday, and was presented his gold medal by PASO President Mario Vazquez Rana.

The crowd at the Hipica Club went wild when Soto crossed the finish line for the victory, but the crowd at the Scotiabank Aquatics Center cheered and stomped just as loudly for Mexican swimmers who finished well out of the medals.

"That’s why we have B finals in swimming," Sisniega said with a smile, "so they can cheer for Mexicans to win in places 9-12."

Tickets Selling Fast

People are still lining up outside the Expo Guadalajara to purchase tickets for events. Communications chief Federico Torres tells ATR that to date the organizing committee has sold more than 80 percent of the tickets out of 750,000. Sold-out events include swimming, diving, gymnastics, volleyball and equestrian.

Sisniega says that because sponsor seats are sometimes empty, "What we’re trying to do is give until a certain time and if people aren’t in those seats, we’re going to let other people in, maybe even without charge."

Fans from around the Americas also are making their presence felt. There were not as many fans for the Mexico-Peru volleyball match as for the next one involving Brazil-Dominican Republic.

United States on Top

Fittingly for the country that has dominated the medal count at every Pan American Games, Heather Irmiger of the United States won the first gold medal of 2011 in women’s mountain bike.

"The people and town of Tapalpa were incredible hosts for our event and the course was perfect for me," said Irmiger, who also competed in the 2003 Pan Ams. "I enjoyed the technical sustained climb and navigating my way through the cobbled streets lined with yelling fans."

Before the Sunday evening events, the U.S. had won twice as many medals as any other country, with 18 including eight gold. Brazil had nine medals, while Colombia, with three medals – all golds – technically ranked second in the medal count.

The United States won nine medals in swimming the first night – the maximum two in each individual event and the gold in the relay. "We’re trying to represent the U.S. the best that we can and we’re doing pretty well on medals the first night, so we’re happy," says Robert Margalis, who won a gold medal in 2003 in the 400 IM, three silvers in 2007 and took the bronze on Friday night.

While some observers have complained that the team is not composed of the top U.S. swimmers like Michael Phelps, Margalis said, "If you’ve earned your way onto the U.S. team, you’re good enough to be wherever you’re going. It’s a good mix. There are some people who have never been to a meet; they’ll get a lot of learning experience out of it, and there are people who can help them learn that have been around a little bit."

Pierre Lafontaine, CEO of Swimming Canada, said no one begrudges the U.S. its medals.

"I think the fun part of it is people are seeing, ‘How close can I get?’ or ‘How many (U.S. swimmers) can I beat?’" he says. "I think even for us, what I’m finding with this world, is a huge happy swimming family. And yes, the American kids are winning some, losing some, but you’re watching the race tonight and the Brazilians are going head to head. So I don’t think there’s any resentment whatsoever."

The fans also seemed to appreciate the U.S. swimmers, yelling congratulations to them as they appeared for the medal ceremonies.

Around the Pan Ams

In traditionally traffic-snarled Guadalajara, official transportation has not been delayed.

"It’s the weekend, so that helps out," Sisniega says. "Many schools are out the next two weeks, so that’s going to help us also."

He says all events started on time Sunday, which is very important.

He adds that organizers are "solving tons of problems, just like any organizers," such as buses that didn’t show up, including the media bus after the Saturday night swimming finals, and long lines to get into venues or onto buses.

Sports Up Next

Among the sports beginning this week are track cycling in a velodrome that received 11th hour certification from the international federation, water skiing, women’s basketball, field hockey, racquetball, softball , tennis, sailing and baseball.

IOC Leaders Spotted with Bad Hats

In photos that he probably wishes could disappear, IOC President Jacques Rogge is now depicted for eternity sporting a mile-wide sombrero, posing with IOC colleague and PASO president Mario Vazquez Rana, whose head is similarly topped.

And should Thomas Bach need to make a campaign badge or poster for a possible run for the IOC presidency, how about using his sombrero photo with Rogge? Nothing could be more presidential.

Rogge and Bach are among the two dozen plus IOC members who have made the trek to Guadalajara at the invitation of PASO chief Vazquez Rana.

Bach, Patrick Hickey from Ireland, Dennis Oswald of Switzerland and Gunilla Lindberg of Sweden among those travelling the furthest to reach the Games.

NOC leaders covered some great distances to get here: Japan’s Tsunekazu Takeda and Ricardo Blas of Guam came to Guadalajara for meetings to plan the April 2012 general assembly in Moscow of the Association of National Olympic Committees. British Olympic Association chair Colin Moynihan came as well for the ANOC council.

The search is on for sombrero shots of any of the above.

Written and reported in Guadalajara by Karen Rosen and Ed Hula.

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