Barranquilla will remain without a host Pan American Games 2027. This Wednesday, Panama Sports declared the choice of the Colombian city as the new venue for the competition invalid because of “numerous breaches of contract” by the coffee-growing country’s authorities. The organization made its decision public through a statement posted on its social media accounts.
“On October 19, after receiving an official letter from the Colombian authorities dated October 25, Barranquilla requested an extension of the deadlines to be able to fulfill the contract. The proposal was accepted by Panam Sports, with a new date of December 30, 2023 and January 30, 2024,” said the statement from the body responsible for the event.
Barranquilla wanted to host the Pan American Games for the first time in its history. Photo: Panama Sports
The contract in question provided for the payment of four million dollars for the “right to organize” the Pan American Games and another four million dollars for the “grant of media rights”. Since these obligations could not be met, it was decided to relocate the headquarters.
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“In view of the lack of response after the new deadline, the Executive Committee of Panam Sports made the unwavering decision on January 3, 2024 to withdraw the right to be the host city of the continental event in 2027,” he added. The document.
“Panam Sports deeply regrets this situation, but the decision was made with the future of the largest multi-sport event in the Americas and the continent’s athletes in mind,” the release concluded.
Where will the 2027 Pan American Games take place?
After confirming the withdrawal of Barranquilla as organizer, the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) still has to define the city that will succeed Santiago (2023). One possibility is to give the seat to the unelected candidate, Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), although this option is not currently being discussed.
With information from EFE.