1951 Pan American Games

I Pan American Games

Official poster of the Buenos Aires 1951 Pan American Games
Host city	Buenos Aires
Country	Argentina
Nations participating	21
Athletes participating	2513
Events	140 in 17 sports
Opening ceremony	February 25
Closing ceremony	March 9
Officially opened by	President Juan Domingo Perón
Main venue	River Plate Stadium
1955 Mexico City  >

The 1951 Pan American Games (the I Pan American Games) were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 25 February-9 March 1951. The Pan American Games' origins were at the Games of the X Olympiad in Los Angeles, United States, where officials representing the National Olympic Committees of the Americas discussed the staging of an Olympic-style regional athletic competition for the athletes of the Americas.

During the Pan American Exposition at Dallas in 1937, a limited sports program was staged. These included Athletics, Boxing, and Wrestling among others. This program was considered a success and a meeting of Olympic officials from the Americas was held.

At the Pan American Sports Conference held in 1940, It was decided to hold the 1st Pan American Games at Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1942. The Pan American Sports Committee was formed to govern the games. Avery Brundage, President of the USOC and Vice-President of the IOC, was elected as the first President. However, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought much of the Americas into World War II, thus forcing the cancellation of the 1942 games.

A second conference was held in 1948. Avery Brundage was re-elected as the President of the PASC. It was decided that Buenos Aires would still host the 1st Pan American Games, this time in 1951.