The Panam Sports Evaluation Commission visited Asunción from September 28 to October 1 to review Paraguay’s bid to host the 2031 Pan American Games. During their stay, the delegates toured the main sports facilities and met with national authorities. The final decision will be made on October 10 at the Panam Sports Extraordinary Assembly in Santiago, Chile.
The visit reinforced the idea that the Paraguayan capital has become a strategic partner for Panam Sports, following the success of the Junior Pan American Games in August. In addition, the political and institutional backing places Paraguay in the spotlight ahead of the election.
Panam Sports and Asunción
The continental organization sees Asunción as a strong option thanks to its recent experience and existing infrastructure. The Junior Pan American Games brought together more than 4,000 young athletes from 41 countries and served as a showcase of the country’s ability to host major competitions.
The President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC Member, Camilo Pérez López Moreira, emphasized that the country is ready to take the next step: “Paraguay has shown that it can host world-class events that inspire athletes and ignite the passion of fans across the continent.”
The IOC’s role and international momentum
The support of Panam Sports is part of a broader strategy of international positioning for Paraguay. The President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, together with Camilo Pérez, recently met in New York with IOC President Kirsty Coventry during the United Nations General Assembly. On that occasion, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to the development of sport and to Olympic values, sending a clear message of alignment with the international Olympic movement.
This closer relationship with the IOC is seen as a reinforcement of Paraguay’s candidacy, which seeks to project not only organizational capacity but also institutional stability and long-term support.
The Paraguayan Government has introduced innovative measures to support the organization of major events, such as special legislation to facilitate free visas and the creation of a Permanent Organizing Committee for Major Events to ensure continuity in planning. In addition, work is underway to expand Asunción’s connectivity and increase airport capacity — key elements for hosting an event of the magnitude of the Pan American Games.
