The sports festival not only marked a milestone in the sports history of our country, but also became a powerful symbol of values, excellence and national pride.
The Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games were one of the milestones of Chile's greatest projection in the world this year and embodied many of the best things that characterize Chilean society: determination, collective effort and aspirations for a better life and a better world. And they reminded us that, with will and working together, there are no limits to what we can achieve. In this sense, the athletes became ambassadors of our best image.
Records in our sports history
With 130 medals (79 for Team Chile and 51 for ParaChile), our country surpassed all expectations in the Games, being the largest Chilean delegation in its history, and leaving a legacy of infrastructure highlighted by the national and international press .
Chile was praised by the sports world after the organization of the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, and even opened the door for a future Olympic Games.
With more than 1.5 million spectators of all ages, and the participation of five thousand athletes from 41 countries in 39 disciplines, the event represented an investment of US$ 770 million, a figure lower than what the Pan American Games meant for Peru in 2019 and for Canada in 2015, and that only for the development of the Pan American Games generated a revenue of US$ 4.8 billion.
The members of Team Chile and ParaChile became representatives of our best image during the Games, due to their determination, collective effort and conviction that it is always possible to break the limits and achieve more ambitious goals. For this reason they were recognized in a ceremony at Fundación Imagen de Chile, which brought together medalists and directors of Santiago 2023. The Paralympic swimmer Vicente Almonacid said he felt "proud to carry these colors around the world and now Imagen de Chile names us as representatives, which gives you the responsibility to do well". On the other hand, tennis player Macarena Cabrillana explained that "there is an advance in the recognition of para-sportsmen as high performance athletes and not something recreational".
The legacy of the games
One of the main legacies that Santiago 2023 will leave will be the encouragement of sports among the different generations. According to a citizen perception study prepared by Santiago 2023, 45% of those surveyed consider that "inclusion" is the great legacy of these games. Regarding the interest in attending the competitions, the former executive director of the corporation, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, indicated that "67% of those surveyed expressed their concrete intention to attend, moved by the desire to support our athletes and keep the country's image high".
The material legacies include the National Stadium Park, with new stadiums, gymnasiums, a field field hockey field, the renovated central court and green areas, in addition to housing several memorial sites that allow reflection on the unrestricted respect for human rights. The Villa Santiago 2023, four condominiums located 300 meters from Metro Line 6, which were used by the athletes and will be delivered as social housing to 1,355 families.
Doors opening for Chile
Chile was praised by the sports world after the organization of the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, and even opened the door for future Olympic Games. In fact, FIFA, after Chile was left out of the World Cup, promised that at least one event of great magnitude would be held in our country as compensation and that will now be fulfilled with the U-20 World Cup in 2025.
Something that shows that our country is prepared for massive sporting events, and is capable of giving visibility to many disciplines, awakening the enthusiasm of the citizens who followed the broadcasts and attended the sports venues. But also that our athletes with their effort and values are the best image of Chile for the world.
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