Limardo brothers from Venezuela make history at 2019 Pan American Games

(August 7) – Ruben and Jesus Limardo battled for the gold medal in the Men’s Individual Epee fencing competition at Lima 2019, becoming the first brothers to compete in the final in the history of the Pan American Games.

2015 Pan American Games in Toronto: Virtue and homeland

Athletes from participating countries and volunteers fill the field at the closing ceremonies of the Pan Am Games in Toronto, July 26, 2015 | I. Rupus

By ALFONSO G. NACIANCENO

If life in our troubled world went on in the peace and harmony of the XVII Pan American Games, we would see less war, evil and ruthless ambition.

An event such as this, in which 83 Pan Am Games records were set, requires logistics that only those who make the art of organization their raison d’être are able to guide from start to finish.

Canada is proud today, because when it went out to raise the army of volunteers needed for various tasks, more than 60,000 people came forward to be selected, and of these only a third were chosen.

2015 Pan AM Games: Despite media blackout, Canada, Cuba, USA and Puerto Rico head to final rounds

By TONY SEED

Canada versus the USA is always a compelling match-up in sports, right? And widely covered by the powerful sports media, right?

Classic matches between the Canadian and American Womens’ team at the London Olympics or the men’s and women’s competitions in ice hockey recorded record TV audiences in Canada. Canadians unite to wish for the defeat of the teams fielded by the superpower to the South and success for their national team over the American overlords. When Canada defeated the USA at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, it was dubbed “miracle on grass” by an incredulous sports media, as was Team Canada’s amazing defeat of the high-priced US professionals in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Pan Am Games 2015: Toronto and Havana sporting links

The two cities share a rich and legendary baseball history but since 1959 have traversed radically different paths in the concept and practice of sport

By TONY SEED*

The 2015 Pan Am Games, being hosted by Toronto and with the celebration of friendship amongst the peoples of the Americas and the Caribbean as one of its positive themes, evokes a memory of the sporting links between the cities of Toronto and Havana, which date back to 1954.

During most of the 1950s the Havana Sugar Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs were two of the flagship franchises in baseball’s International League, classified as AAA, a rung below US Major League Baseball (MLB).

Pan Am Games 2015: A tough battle for second place

Dr. Antonio Becali, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) of Cuba

The XVII Pan American Games in Toronto will feature a close race for second place, the chefs de missions for Cuba, Brazil and Canada confirmed on July 8.

Cuba’s INDER president Antonio Becali (pictured), Brazilian Bernard Rajzman and Canadian Curt Harnett confirmed that their three leading Pan American contenders would go all out for the position. The press conference was also attended by their U.S. counterpart.

Project to provide pennants for the Cuban team at the Pan Am Games

Cuba is sending a team of 450 athletes to perform in the Pan Am Games being held in and around Toronto in July. In these big international gatherings it is common practice for teams to exchange pins and little pennants as a gesture of friendship. This can be quite costly for teams from small and developing countries. In this case, the Cuban team is operating under tremendous financial constraints due to the US economic blockade of Cuba.

Cuba has qualified 403 athletes for XVII Pan Am Games in Toronto

Cuban delegation at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on October 14, 2011 | Juan Pablo Carreras / AIN

Cubans will compete in 29 sports with more spots to be assigned in track and field, swimming, diving and tennis. “Cuba is aiming for second place among the countries at the XVII Pan American Games,” being held July 10-26 in Toronto, Canada.

A written record

The eighth reflection on the Pan American Games

 Reflections of President Fidel Castro

MANY important events are taking place around the world. Some are related to Cuba. Sometimes the news that reaches our country is much more interesting than a simple reflection of mine aimed at creating awareness.

The BBC interview of Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, one of our Five Heroes, which was televised yesterday, had a profound impact on me; what human content, profundity and brilliance, qualities that could only come from a mind that has endured nine years of unjust psychological torture. We urge the Roundtable program to continue informing us about the historic process surrounding the fate of our historic compatriots.

Fidel Castro’s reflection on politics and sports

The seventh reflection on the Pan American Games

I AM WRITING this quickly and a little late. I should do this because of the strong emphasis I have placed in the analysis of this matter.

Besides, the news is not disheartening. The wire services announced that the two boxers who had defected in Rio de Janeiro had been found and arrested by the authorities on a beach close to that city. Remember that they had been given up for missing. They were there without any documents.

In spite of everything

The sixth reflection on the Pan American Games

Reflections by Cuban President Fidel Castro

DO you think that you merely enjoy the Pan American Games? Think again, and you will realize that no matter your age, you run, jump, put the shots, throw javelins, discuses and hammers; soar above hurdles and tracks, relay batons, spike balls, score a basket, row, execute ippons, turn your rival over, follow strategies, splash water over yourself after running for two hours and even stop taking in the oxygen that your lungs are demanding. What a wonderful show the athletes put on for us!