In an unexpected twist, Colombia has lost the opportunity to host the 2027 Pan American Games due to non-payment by the National Government. The debt of 8 million dollars with the organizer Panam Sport has led to the withdrawal of Barranquilla as a possible host.
Hopes of retaining the venue were dashed when organizers issued a statement to the continent’s Olympic committees, urging them to submit their proposals to host the games by Jan. 31, 2024.
The situation has generated strong reactions in various sectors, particularly among athletes. Olympic gold medalist Mariana Pajón expressed her desolation over the loss of the jousts in the country. Meanwhile, tennis player Nicolás Mejía, ranked number 228 in the ATP ranking, launched harsh criticism of Gustavo Petro’s Government on Twitter.
How is it possible to say that there are no resources to hold the Pan American Games in our country, but we do have enough to pay 1,000 bandits 1 million pesos so that they do not commit crimes against society…?
Someone explain this logic to me please— Nicolas Mejia (@nicomejia00) January 6, 2024
«How is it possible that there are no resources for the Pan American Games and there are for the ‘Youth in Peace’ program that only allocates money to those who stop committing crimes? “We have enough to pay bandits, but not for large-scale sporting events,” questioned Mejía.
Former Sports Minister María Isabel Urrutia shed light on President Petro’s position, revealing that he expressed his disagreement with the economic investment in the Pan American Games. Petro proposed redirecting the funds towards the solution to the armed conflict, arguing that the amount allocated to the games was excessive.
Urrutia, despite being a former Olympic medalist, shared the president’s perspective, surprising and disappointing those who expected his support for the importance of these sporting events. In addition, she pointed out that the responsibility for paying the agreed amount fell solely on Barranquilla, with the inclusion of the cities of Malambo and Puerto Colombia to collaborate in the financing process. The controversy continues to grow as the country faces the consequences of the loss of this sporting opportunity.