Host city Chicago Nations participating 25 Events 166 in 18 sports | Country United States Athletes participating 2,263 Opening ceremony August 27 | |
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The 3rd Pan American Games were held in Chicago August 28 – September 7, 1959.
Contents
Background
The games were originally awarded to Cleveland. Cleveland withdrew from hosting the games due to financial reasons. The original backup-host, Guatemala, withdrew even before Cleveland. São Paulo, Brazil and Chicago competed to replace Cleveland as the host of the Pan American Games. Chicago defeated São Paulo 13-6 in the Pan American Games Committee vote held August 3, 1957. São Paulo later would go on to host the following edition.
Organization
Once Chicago took over the game following Cleveland's withdrawal, there were 18 months left to organize the games. The games were held on-schedule nonetheless. The games were the first Pan American Games to be held in the Northern Hemisphere's summer. The previous two editions were held in March.
The Games
The games opened on August 27, 1959, in sunny 90 °F (32 °C) heat before 40,000 people in Chicago, Illinois, United States at Soldier Field.
Medal count
To sort this table by nation, total medal count, or any other column, click on the icon next to the column title.
Note ^ The medal counts for the United States, Argentina, Mexico and Canada are disputed.