On May, the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (POC) presented its ambitious vision for Asunción to host the 2031 Pan American Games to the Panam Sports Executive Committee in Miami. The bid highlights Paraguay’s strategic commitment to becoming a premier destination for world-class sporting events, a commitment recently demonstrated through the successful organization of the 75th FIFA Congress in Asunción.
The presentation marked the first opportunity for Paraguay to outline its initial plans after the candidature was ratified by Panam Sports earlier in May. Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the POC and a Member of the International Olympic Committee, emphasized Paraguay’s vision to use sport as a tool for development and growth across the Americas.
He was joined by key figures, including Paraguay’s Minister of Sports César Ramírez, POC First Vice-President Julio Ferrari, POC Secretary General Juan Carlos Orihuela, Deputy Director General of the Organizing Committee for Major Sporting Events of Paraguay Larissa Schaerer, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic heptathlete Camila Pirelli.
World-class venues and sustainable infrastructure
The venue plan for the 2031 Pan American Games includes state-of-the-art facilities at the Paraguayan Olympic Park and the National Sports Secretariat. Most of these venues are already operational and in daily use, ensuring top-tier conditions for athletes.
A key feature of the bid is the Pan American Village, located less than 30 minutes from all proposed venues. Designed to accommodate 7,200 athletes and 2,800 officials, the village will be transformed into affordable housing after the Games, aligning with Paraguay’s long-term housing policy.
Government support and legal framework
Paraguay’s bid is strongly supported by the country’s President, Santiago Peña, and backed by a pioneering legal framework that facilitates the organization of major events. This framework, successfully implemented during the 75th FIFA Congress, includes visa exemptions and expedited entry for accredited officials and personnel.
Paraguay’s steady growth as a regional sports hub is evident in its upcoming events, including the 2025 Junior Pan American Games, the World Rally Championship (2025-2027), the 2026 World Skate Games, and the 2027 and 2028 World Youth Championships in Weightlifting and Track Cycling, respectively. The country is also bidding to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games.
