Winter Pan American Games - History

History

The Pan American Sports Organization originally conceived of a Winter Pan American Games after the first Pan American Games were held in Buenos Aires in 1951, but the idea was abandoned due to a lack of interest from member nations. The idea was revived after the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis. At a meeting in Mar Del Plata, Argentina between the PASO nations and participants from the 1988 Winter Olympics, it was determined that the first Winter Pan American Games should take place in Las Leñas, Argentina in 1989 and be held every four years thereafter.

The inaugural Games were not held in 1989 because of climate conditions and were postponed until the next year. The 1990 Winter Pan American Games were held from September 16 to 22, with 97 athletes from eight nations participating: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and United States. Only Canada and the United States won medals.

The second Winter Pan American Games were to take place in Santiago, Chile in 1993, but due to scheduling problems, the United States Olympic Committee declined to participate, and PASO decided to cancel the Games.

Now there are efforts to bring back the Winter Pan American Games. Some Pan American Olympic committees have tried to initiate meetings to choose a host city for the event, perhaps a city that has hosted the Winter Olympics.