Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Editor’s Picks
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
    • Submission Form
      • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2023 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • TEAMS Europe
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Perspectives >
Posted On : July 14, 2015 By : Staff
Jason-Gewirtz-Headhsot-web_ret-

Pan Am Games Show Off Toronto

 

The greater Toronto area kicked off the beginning of the Pan American Games with an impressive display of competition and pageantry that included an Opening Ceremony choreographed by Cirque de Soleil and a chance for the region to show off some of the legacy venues and infrastructure the event will leave behind. As our July cover story details, the event, combined with the Parapan Am Games, marks the largest sports investment that the province of Ontario has ever undertaken. At an opening press conference, the chairman of Toronto 2015, David Peterson, suggested the region may again bid for the Olympic Summer Games if the Pan Am Games come off well. Based on the first weekend, the event was off to a strong start.

One of the many legacies of the games comes through transportation in the form of the UP Express train that connects Toronto’s Pearson Airport with downtown’s Union Station. The project set the Pan Am Games as a goal for completion and the system provided easy access for fans at all times of day, both to and from the airport.

IMG_0529

The Opening Ceremony at Rogers Centre (renamed Pan Am Ceremonies Venue for the competition) was a several-hours affair with a backstory detailing the history of Canada. With Cirque de Soleil behind the production, it came with all the pageantry and artistic creativity you would expect.

DSC_0044

Among the dignitaries in attendance was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. The ceremony also featured an appropriate tribute to Mario Vázquez Raña, who died in February and had served the last 40 years as president of the Pan American Sports Organization.

IMG_0345

As for the ceremony itself, the largest applause came when Team Canada entered the Parade of Nations.

DSC_0012

Among the others receiving loud ovations were a team of BMX riders who did tricks amid the seated athletes on the stadium floor, and hockey legend Bobby Orr, who carried the IOC flag into the stadium. One downside, though, for those in attendance: The most dramatic part of the evening came at the end when NBA star (and Canadian) Steve Nash took the torch relay, ran outside the venue and lit the Pan Am Games cauldron, which sits just outside the stadium at the base of the CN Tower. From there, an impressive fireworks show began off the adjacent tower. But attendees at the ceremony had to watch the spectacle from the smallish screens behind the main stage, which was set up in the equivalent of the outfield at the Toronto Blue Jays’ home stadium. With Rogers Centre having a retractable roof, it was a lost opportunity to open the roof at the end of the ceremony for those inside to watch the amazing display live just steps away. It would have been quite dramatic, but proved anticlimatic for anyone who paid for a ticket inside. Nonetheless, crowds gathered outside following the ceremony to take photos of themselves by the flame.

DSC_0082

The first full day of competition saw more than a dozen sports at play. The city’s Exhibition Centre area (known as Pan Am Park for the games) includes a number of venues, with the main stadium that normally serves as home to Toronto FC hosting rugby sevens, which is poised to make its Olympics debut in 2016. The venue saw sparse crowds for qualifiers but a full house for the gold medal matches the next evening. With Canada winning gold in the men’s and women’s events, it was a festive scene. The echoes of the crowd noise and feet slamming could be heard across the Pan Am Park.

DSC_0543

DSC_0163

DSC_0551

DSC_0214

Also on site at the Exhibition Centre was the Ricoh Coliseum, which was an ideal venue to host gymnastics.

panamgymIMG_0413

And the Exhibition Centre itself is serving as the workhorse of the games. The venue will be hosting the media center, as well as indoor volleyball, handball and racquetball.

In addition, two other events held there early in the games were squash and roller sports figure skating, two sports that have just missed out in recent years on being added to the Olympic program. Both were compelling in the convention center, especially squash, whose glass courts allowed spectators to view the action on all sides.

sqIMG_0406

But the center also had traditional squash courts inside as well, which attracted their own crowds that crammed in to get views the traditional way—from the back of the court. From a spectator experience, the glass cubes were much more ideal.

DSC_0076

As for roller sports, stands were full for the long-form program finals as skaters performed their routines on a temporary floor with temporary stands.

IMG_0507

Outside of downtown Toronto, other venues are hosting as well. About 45 minutes east of downtown, the Pan Am Sports Centre is another legacy venue, hosting aquatic sports. The early diving competition was packed and transportation from downtown worked well. The venue appears to be a positive addition to Toronto’s sports landscape and could help the region if it does indeed proceed with an Olympics bid down the road.

DSC_0542

But no report on the Pan Am Games could be complete without a reference to Pachi the Porcupine. The ever-present mascot’s image is plastered across town, from the many megastores for merchandise to the tops of bus shelters, where his presence can be a bit alarming if you’re not prepared for it.

IMG_0472

While Pachi plush dolls may prove irresistible for fans with children, organizers have ambitiously priced the mementos at stores. A medium-sized Pachi retails for $51 in Canadian dollars (about $40 in U.S. dollars).

DSC_0050

One last thought on the Pan Am Games. In the July issue of SportsTravel, our “Winners and Losers” columnist Bob Latham shared his thoughts about his concern over mascots such as Pachi and how necessary they are (or not) at events. But in one of life’s great ironies, Latham, who serves as chair of USA Rugby and vice-president of the Pan American Rugby Association, came face to face with Pachi during the medal ceremony for rugby sevens. As part of the official delegation, Latham was charged with handing out a prize to each member of the three medaling men’s teams. That prize? A stuffed Pachi. With 12 players per team, that was a lot of Pachis. The prickly porcupine (whose 41 quills represent the 41 Pan American nations) may have finally won our columnist over.

DSC_0632

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: PerspectivesTagged : Ann Shepphird: On Assignment

Post navigation

NCAA Lifts Ban on South Carolina
2016 Invictus Games to be Held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Follow us on Twitter

SportsTravel Follow

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events. Producers of the TEAMS Conference & Expo.

SportsTravel
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
48m

The @DurhamNCSports Commission, in partnership with @WomenLeadersCS, has announced the first Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit will be held on April 19 at the Durham Convention Center. https://wp.me/paJznw-drd

Reply on Twitter 1620410569705521153 Retweet on Twitter 1620410569705521153 Like on Twitter 1620410569705521153 Twitter 1620410569705521153
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
16h

.@FootballAUS has announced Stadium Australia will host @TheMatildas’ opening match of the 2023 @FIFAWWC against the Republic of Ireland on July 20. It was originally to be played at Sydney Football Stadium, but high ticket demand led to a venue change.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-opening-match-moved-to-larger-stadium/

Reply on Twitter 1620185242052198400 Retweet on Twitter 1620185242052198400 Like on Twitter 1620185242052198400 Twitter 1620185242052198400
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
18h

Salt Lake City, Utah, along with Boston and San Francisco will be the next @NWSL expansion franchises with Salt Lake City and Bay Area teams planning to start play in the 2024 season and Boston joining as soon as the year after.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/report-nwsl-expanding-to-boston-salt-lake-city-and-bay-area/

Reply on Twitter 1620155395829567488 Retweet on Twitter 1620155395829567488 Like on Twitter 1620155395829567488 Twitter 1620155395829567488
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
18h

.@yankeestadium will host a college football matchup between @theACC rivals @CuseFootball and @Pitt_FB on November 11, 2023, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first college football game played at the original Yankee Stadium.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/yankee-stadium-to-host-football-game-between-syracuse-and-pitt/

Reply on Twitter 1620143730622869504 Retweet on Twitter 1620143730622869504 Like on Twitter 1620143730622869504 Twitter 1620143730622869504
Load More

sportstravel

There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Be There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Beach Sports Center! 285,000 square feet of convertible space can accommodate 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, nine field hockey courts, and a 200-meter hydraulically banked track—and it can hold up to 5,000 spectators to watch the action.
SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for th SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for the @unitedsoccercoaches Convention that starts tomorrow and lasts throughout the week. We’re looking forward to the next few days of connecting with friends old and new on location.
CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas. CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas.
Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outd Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outdoor spaces, but the city’s newest sports facility makes it a pleasure to be indoors. The @vbsportscenter is your premier sports facility in Virginia Beach, offering high-quality basketball, volleyball, field hockey, track & field facilities, and plenty of room for your team to shine. Find out more at https://vbsportscenter.com
Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic. Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic.
The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in the first half.
The College Football Playoff kicks off with the fi The College Football Playoff kicks off with the first semifinal between TCU and Michigan at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series gam Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series game between Team USA and Team Canada on December 15.
Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the th Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the third period of a Rivalry Series game with Team Canada on December 15.
Michelle Lupo, the business development manager fo Michelle Lupo, the business development manager for the @northstarmeets Sports Division, moderated a session today at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism, featuring Kara Bachman from the Chicago Sports Commission, Curtis Francois from World Wide Technology Raceway and John Groh from the Rockford Area CVB. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about sports-related travel!

@chisportscomm @wwtraceway @gorockford #travel #tourism #sportstravel #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness
The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off wi The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off with a 2 a.m. start Sunday to give runners the best conditions possible across the city. The Expo is taking place at Royal Paragon Hall, where runners can pick up their bibs and prepare for the race.

#marathon #running #sportsevents #sportstourism #sportstravel @tourismthailand
Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participatio Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participation World for the chance for SportsTravel Executive Editor and Publisher Jason Gewirtz to present the latest data on sports-related travel to delegates at the World Athletics Global Running Conference in Bangkok. Friday’s schedule also included remarks from the prime minister of Thailand and the country’s sports and tourism minister, who emphasized the importance of sports events to the nation’s economy and quality of life.

#athletics #thailand #bangkok #running #sportstravel #sportstourim @tourismthailand
Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding World Cup event in Park City at @utaholympicpark this weekend. Friday morning’s action was the women’s monobob event, won by American Kaillie Humphries. Scroll through to see the #bobsled in action at full speed, then slow motion, and hear from Humphries after her win.
SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week mo SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week moderating sessions and presenting on sports-related travel at the @worldathletics Global Running Conference, including an opening day session on government relations in sports events featuring @sport_singapore, Portas Consulting, @laliga and @houstonsports_janis from the @hc_hsa who appeared virtually from Doha where she is attending the World Cup.
#sportstourism #sportstravel #mpw22 #wagrc
Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports eve Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports event to World Equestrian Center – Ocala, you can refuel with something heavenly from seven different on-site restaurants. From pub burgers and #taco salads to fine dining, WEC has a #winning option for everyone.
Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby union stadium in the world, seating 82,000. The home of England Rugby, it is owned and operated by the Rugby Football Union and hosts events year round. 

#rugby #rugbyunion #twickenham @twickenhamstadium
Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the oppos Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the opposing fans.

@raiders @broncos @nfl #fans #raiderfans #broncofans @empowerfieldatmilehigh
One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncos One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncosthunderstorm skydivers who jump into Empower Field at Mile High before every @broncos game.
Beer and alcohol sales may be banned at the World Beer and alcohol sales may be banned at the World Cup, but in the @nfl, there are more than enough in-stadium options, including the many available at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the @broncos. 

#worldcup #2022worldcup #broncos #beer #drinks #sportsevents
Stay in comfort and style during your next sports Stay in comfort and style during your next sports event at World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s luxury hotel, three-bedroom rental units or full-service #rvpark. Restore your aching body with treatments at Calluna #spa or enjoy dining and shopping at the facility’s impressive restaurants and performance retailers.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Durham to Host Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit
  • 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Opening Match Moved to Larger Stadium
  • Report: NWSL Expanding to Boston, Salt Lake City and Bay Area
  • Yankee Stadium to Host Football Game Between Syracuse and Pitt
  • LA28 Paralympic Games Initial Sport Program to Feature 22 Sports
  • Sports Events Up for Bid
  • USA Karate Names Michael Cain as Chief Executive Officer
  • Columbus to Host 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2023 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top