Welcoming Ceremony at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Village,

Photo: Christophe Scianni

The Parapan American Games have always been a big dream that came true two years after the creation of the Americas Region. The first Parapan American Games took place in México City, México, in November 1999, with participation of about 1,000 athletes from 18 countries competing in four sports. During those Games, around 500 athletes from the Americas region were classified for the first time and the Games offered athletes the possibility to qualify for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

In 2003, not being possible for the Dominican Republic to organize both the Pan and Parapan American Games, Mar del Plata in Argentina took the responsibility and hosted the second edition of the Parapan American Games. During this edition, 1,500 athletes from 28 countries (including five countries from other continents, which were included to fulfill requirements for classification purposes) competed in nine sports.

The third edition of the Parapan American Games will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will definitely set another milestone: For the first time in history, the Parapan American Games will be held in the same city and same venues as the Pan American Games. Around 1,300 athletes and 700 delegation members will compete in 10 sports.

For more information about the upcoming Parapan American Games, please visit the official website at www.rio2007.org.br.