1979 Pan American Games
 | |
| Host | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Nations | 34 |
| Athletes | 3,700 |
| Events | 250 in 24 sports |
| Opening | July 1 |
| Closing | July 15 |
| Opened by | Governor Carlos Romero Barceló |
| Cauldron lighter | Cynthia Guadalupe |
| Main venue | Hiram Bithorn Stadium |
The 1979 Pan American Games (Spanish: Juegos Panamericanos de 1979), officially the VIII Pan American Games were a multi-sport event governed by the Panam Sports Organization, and were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15, 1979. The 1980 documentary film A Step Away showcased a number of athletes competing in the Games.
Bidding process[edit]
On May 31, 1973, San Juan was the only candidate city to be a finalist to host the games and thus, San Juan was then selected to host the VIII Pan American Games by PASO at its general assembly in Santiago, Chile.[1][2][3]
The Games[edit]
Sports[edit]
Archery ()
Athletics ()
Baseball ()
Basketball ()
Boxing ()
Cycling ()
Diving ()
Equestrian ()
Fencing ()
Field hockey ()
Football ()
Gymnastics ()
Judo ()
Roller sports ()
Rowing ()
Sailing ()
Shooting ()
Softball ()
Swimming ()
Synchronized swimming ()
Table tennis ()
Tennis ()
Volleyball ()
Weightlifting ()
Wrestling ()
Medal count[edit]
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States | 126 | 95 | 45 | 266 |
| 2 |  Cuba | 64 | 47 | 34 | 145 |
| 3 |  Canada | 24 | 43 | 71 | 138 |
| 4 |  Argentina | 12 | 7 | 17 | 36 |
| 5 |  Brazil | 9 | 13 | 17 | 39 |
| Totals (5 entries) | 235 | 205 | 184 | 624 | |
- Note
^ The medal count for Canada is disputed.
Mascot[edit]
The 1979 Games were the first one to feature a mascot, which was a running frog holding a torch named Coqui.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ "Belle Époque: San Juan 1979". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). July 4, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ "Los VIII Juegos Panamericanos de San Juan son un evento que no se olvida" [The VIII Pan-American Games of San Juan is an event that is not forgotten]. Primera Hora (in Spanish). June 30, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ "Puerto Rico hará Panamericanos" [Puerto Rico has Panamerican]. El Tiempo (in Spanish). Santiago, Chile. Associated Press. June 1, 1973. p. 1-C. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ "PAN AMERICAN GAMES SAN JUAN 1979 - MEDALS TABLE PAN AM 1979 - Pan American Games - San Juan Puerto Rico 1979". Quadrodemedalhas.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
External links[edit]
- San Juan 1979 - VIII Pan American Games - Official Report (Part 1) at PanamSports.org
- San Juan 1979 - VIII Pan American Games - Official Report (Part 2) at PanamSports.org
Categories:
- 1979 Pan American Games
- International sports competitions hosted by Puerto Rico
- 1979 in Puerto Rican sports
- Multi-sport events in Puerto Rico
- 1979 in multi-sport events
- Sports in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Pan American Games
- 1979 in North American sport
- 1979 in South American sport
- 20th century in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- July 1979 sports events in North America