Pan-American Games in 1942
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Title
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Pan-American Games in 1942
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Date
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December 1940
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volume
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5
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issue
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6
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1
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page end
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1
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en
PAN AMERICAN GAMES IN 1942
When it became apparent that the Games of the XII Olympiad could not be held, the latent interest in Pan American Games which has existed in many countries for many years was brought to life. It was further stimulated by the growing spirit of solidarity among the nations of the Western Hemisphere. After considerable correspondence and discussion, the Argentine Olympic Committee took the initiative and called a Congress in Buenos Aires to discuss the possibility of organizing Pan American Games and, in general, all of the problems concerning amateur sport in the three Americas.
The National Olympic Committee of 16 of the 21 countries in the Pan American Union met at a Congress held in Buenos Aires, August 28-31, and voted to institute a set of Pan American Games to be held every four years, beginning in 1942, under the sanction of the International Olympic Committee. In general, the rules and regulations of the International Olympic Committee, covering the Olympic Games, will apply. The technical rules of competition in all sports are to be those of the respective international federations as in the Olympic Games. All countries of the Western Hemisphere are eligible for membership in the new organization. The Congress, which is to be held every four years, will control the organization.
For convenience in administration, etc., the countries of the Western Hemisphere were divided into five groups as follows:
Group 1—Canada, United States, Mexico.
Group 2—Countries of Central America and the Antilles.
Group 3—Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Group 4—Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Group 5—Columbia, Panama, and Venezuela.
One representative from each group was chosen to constitute a Pan American Games Committee which will be the supreme authority during the four years between meetings of the Congress for all matters pertaining to Pan American Sport. The first committee consists of representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, United States, and Venezuela. The United States was signally honored by having its representative, Mr. Avery Brundage, elected President. Dr. Heraldo Pederneiras of Brazil was chosen Vice President.
The objects of the new organization, in addition to the staging of the Pan American Games and the promotion of public interest and participation in amateur sport in the constituent countries, include the development of closer athletic relations between the member countries, and it is hoped that there may eventually be group or regional contests.
Buenos Aires was chosen as the site of the first Pan American Games which will be held in the fall of the year 1942, the 450th Anniversary of the Discovery of America by Columbus. Just as in the Olympic Games, there will be an Organizing Committee, designated by the Argentine Olympic Committee, to handle the event. The Organizing Committee will have the authority to choose the sports on the program from a list similar to—but larger—than that used in the Olympic Games. The tentative list for the first Pan American Games is:
Basketball
Boxing
Chess
Cycling
Fencing
Polo
Rowing
Shooting
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Water Polo
Weight Lifting
Wrestling
Yachting
All of the countries of the Western Hemisphere are eligible for membership. Organized in a thoroughly democratic fashion, each country will have one vote, although the United States probably has more athletes than the entire population of some of the countries involved.
