PANAM SPORTS OPENS LXIV ASSEMBLY IN LIMA FOR 2027 AND 2028 GAMES

LIMA, PERU: The LXIV General Assembly of Panam Sports opened today in Lima, bringing together leaders from all 41 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the Americas for the first of two days of sessions as part of Panam Sports Week. The Assembly will continue tomorrow morning at the Westin Hotel.The opening ceremony celebrated the host nation with a video tribute to Peru's Olympic and Pan American history and the national anthem, followed by a retrospective on the history of Panam Sports.A special video honored Peru's Olympic legacy and the success of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, including the historic "One Year to Go" event with gymnastics icon Simone Biles, before turning to Peru's preparations to once again host the Games in 2027. Traditional Peruvian dancers performed as part of the festivities.

Renzo Manyari Velazco, President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, welcomed delegates with words of gratitude and hope, formally opening the floor to the Assembly.

PRESIDENT NEVEN ILIC: "EVERYTHING WE DO MATTERS"

Panam Sports President Neven Ilic welcomed delegates on behalf of the sports movement across the Americas, paying tribute to Kirsty Coventry's journey from Olympic swimmer to IOC President and framing the Pan American Games as a window toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Ilic and IOC Member Cecilia Tait presented Coventry with a Panam Sports trophy in appreciation of her visit and in recognition of her career that led her to the Olympic Movement. After this emotional moment, Ilic delivered a report on the Panam Sports agenda, describing the Assembly as a reunion of the region's countries dedicated to bettering sport.

"Everything we do matters — what comes next is a huge event to help athletes. There is a lot of work to do, but we have a provisional team and a lot of willingness on every side."
- Neven Ilic, President of Panam Sports

PRESIDENT KEIKO FUJIMORI: "SPORT GIVES US HOPE AND UNITY"

Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori Higuchi addressed the Assembly, thanking Olympic leaders and speaking to the honor Peru holds in hosting both the General Assembly and the 2027 Pan American Games, describing the gathering as an opportunity to showcase the country's strength to the world.

"Sport isn't just public policy — it gives us hope, unity, and especially hope," President Fujimori Higuchi said, adding that Peru is committed to delivering "the best Games anyone has ever seen."

‍ ‍ IOC PRESIDENT KIRSTY COVENTRY: "FORWARD TOGETHER"

IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed the Assembly directly following the welcome remarks, underscoring the importance of the Pan American Games and Junior Pan American Games as a pathway for athletes across the region.

"This is a pathway for athletes to chase their dreams, compete under pressure and build confidence — that's why our work is so important," Coventry said."This is more than a meeting — it's a challenge of where we should be going. We share best practices, and we agree on a way to lead us forward together, and that is what is most important," she continued. "We all might have slightly different realities, but the challenges we face are the same, and it's about how we will get to the end result."

Coventry called on the movement to be bold in keeping the Olympic Movement relevant for years to come, to keep excellence at its heart, and to uphold its responsibility to support and protect athletes on the journey to Los Angeles 2028. "We need to make sure athletes have a fair chance, and a place to belong," Coventry said.

SECRETARY GENERAL JIMENA SALDAÑA: INVESTMENT AND THE ROAD TO LIMA 2027

Secretary General Jimena Saldaña reported on the success of the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games and provided an update on preparations for Lima 2027, highlighting continued investment in sport development, methodological support for NOCs, and growth of the Panam Sports Academy. Saldaña announced the Panam Sports Olympic Investment for 2026 at USD $23.5 million, with 79% directed straight into sport development across a seven-pillar strategic framework. Olympic Solidarity — the heart of Panam Sports' commitment to directly funding NOCs, athletes and specialized programs — anchors the plan, alongside the NOC Strength program supporting institutional development across all 41 NOCs, with new regional forums and youth training camps.Saldaña highlighted "The Next Generation" and the Olympic Pathway connecting junior to senior success — from Asunción, to Lima, to Los Angeles 2028 — as proof the pipeline works, with the Panam Sports Channel and Panam Sports’ social media serving as its global showcase.

‍ OLYMPIC SOLIDARITY

James Macleod from the International Olympic Committee presented on behalf of the IOC Olympic Solidarity team, organized around five themes: Athletes, Olympic Games, Olympic Impact, Engagement, and Revenue. The pillars cover embedding athlete voice in decision-making and protecting integrity, safe sport environments and the female category. Macleod noted USD $21 million invested in Olympic scholarships, reviewed Athlete365 and the "Fit for the Future" Olympian framework beginning at Milan-Cortina 2026, and previewed Dakar 2026 (25 sports, 2,700 athletes) and Los Angeles 2028 (36 sports, 57 disciplines, 11,000+ athletes).

‍ ‍COMMISSION REPORTS

Alicia Morea presented for the Women in Sport Commission and announced Panama's Mónica Frano, of "Las Golerinas," as recipient of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award for expanding girls' and women's access to football. Germán Charaviglio reported for the Athletes' Commission; Sara Rosario for Training and Olympic Academies; Alejandro Orizola, of the Health Commission, on coordination with Lima 2027 on medical protocols, mental health and anti-doping education; and Saint Lucia's Alfred Emmanuel, of the Sustainability Commission, on a Lima 2027 workplan aimed at a carbon-neutral Games.Nicole Hoevertsz, President of the Safe Sport Commission, presented on wellness initiatives, safeguarding measures for every event, and a safe sport toolkit tailored across gender and sport, encouraging NOC leaders to strengthen reporting mechanisms.Canadian Olympic Committee Secretary General David Shoemaker presented for the Marketing, Image Rights, TV and Communications Commission, highlighting growth in marketing partnerships and plans to expand pan-regional broadcasting. Panam Sports has signed Mediapro as host broadcaster for Lima 2027, with a content hub positioning athletes as storytellers. A report from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and AMPC closed the day's proceedings.

‍ ‍CLOSING HONORS: ASUNCIÓN 2025 LEGACY

The day closed with an honorary recognition of the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games. Organizers reported a total economic impact of USD $431.3 million against public investment of $85 million, a 2.75% return on investment, and a marked boost to tourism.Asunción 2025 was hailed as the highest level of competition in the history of the Junior Pan American Games, with 1,086 medals awarded. Two venues — the Olympic Aquatic Center and the Urban Sports Center — remain as permanent legacy infrastructure, and the Assembly viewed videos highlighting the Games' social and cultural legacy. Representatives of the Pan American Confederation also extended their thanks to Panam Sports for its continued support.