The road to the XX Pan American Games in 2027 officially took a major step forward as Pan Am Sports and the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee signed the host city contract following two days of fruitful discussions in the Peruvian capital.
The agreement marks the official confirmation of Lima’s responsibilities as the host city and sets the stage for preparations to ensure a successful and athlete-centred Games.
The signing ceremony was attended by Pan Am Sports Secretary General Jimena Saldaña, along with key officials from Panam Sports and the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee. Saldaña emphasized the importance of collaboration in delivering a world-class sporting event for the Americas.
"We are very pleased with the signing of this contract. We see a very committed and passionate Organizing Committee, with which we share the same goal: to achieve a successful sports celebration, always keeping the athletes at the centre of our decisions," said Saldaña.
With just 30 months until the Games begin, Saldaña reiterated that there is no time to waste, despite Lima’s existing sports infrastructure. She assured that Pan Am Sports would be working side by side with the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee to ensure the event’s success.
"We have not come to supervise; we have come to work together for this great event, the most important in the continent," she added.
The Lima 2027 Organizing Committee was represented by its President, Federico Tong, alongside Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari, Peruvian Olympic medalist and IOC member Cecilia Tait, and Olympic diploma recipient Evelyn Inga.
Tong highlighted the Peruvian government’s strong commitment to delivering an exceptional Pan American Games, further solidifying Lima’s status as a sporting hub in the Americas.
"The Pan American Games are already underway, the wheel has already started to run. And that is why the Peruvian Government is firmly committed to strengthening sports in the country. Lima is already a sports hub in the Americas, and we want to offer athletes a satisfactory experience and first-class infrastructure," Tong stated.
Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari echoed these sentiments, underlining the unity among all stakeholders involved in bringing Lima 2027 to life.
"The meetings were extremely positive. We strengthened coordination with Panam Sports, we presented all the progress achieved so far in the organization of Lima 2027, and the work teams showed their professionalism, high spirit of service, and passion for sport," Manyari remarked.
He also reaffirmed Peru’s partnership with Pan Am Sports, stating: "Today, we reaffirmed that Peru and Panam Sports are strategic partners in favour of our Pan American athletes and their families. Without a doubt, Lima 2027 is a reality."
The two-day meeting also focused on sharing experiences and knowledge from past Games while setting clear objectives for the next phase of preparations. Discussions included venue readiness, athlete accommodations, logistics planning, and ensuring that the Games reflect the highest standards of organization and execution.
With Lima having hosted the 2019 Pan American Games, organizers believe they have a strong foundation to build on. However, as Saldaña pointed out, success depends on meticulous planning and execution, making this initial phase of collaboration between Pan Am Sports and Lima 2027 critical.
The XX Pan American Games will bring together thousands of athletes from across the Americas, competing in one of the most prestigious multi-sport events in the world. With the host city contract now signed, Lima 2027 is officially on its way to delivering an unforgettable Games experience for athletes and fans alike.