1951 Summary

The Pan American Games originated in 1932. At the Games of the Xth Olympiad in Los Angeles, 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 Ist 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. Unfortunately, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought 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 Ist Pan American Games, this time in 1951.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

The Ist Pan American Games opened on 25 February in a colorful spectacle presided over by Argentina's President, Gen. Juan Peron and his wife, Eva "Evita" Peron. Indeed, the stadium was decorated with Peronist symbols and Peron's sayings. Gen. and Mrs. Peron entered the stadium in a limousine to the cheers of the capacity crowd of 100,000 spectators. They stood at attention as the Peronist Party song "Muchachos Peronistas" (March of the Peronistas) followed by the Argentine National Anthem.

Next, 2513 athletes from 21 nations marched past. Once the athletes were assembled in the infield, Dr. Rodolfo Valenzuela, President of the Organizing Committee made a speech of welcome. He was followed at the rostrum by Avery Brundage, Presidnet of the PASC, who thanked the organizers. He then introduced President Peron who declared the games officially open.

The Olympic Flag was then raised, and the Olympic Torch was carried into the stadium by John Sossidis, a greek athlete. The torch was lit at Mount Olympus in Greece. Sossidis carried the torch to an elevated basin and lit the Pan American Flame. Another Greek athlete presented an olive branch to President Peron, followed by a female Argentine athlete who presented a bouquet to Senora Peron.

Finally, a male and female member of the Argentine team took the Olympic Oath on behalf of all the competitors.

Men's Athletics - The U.S. dominated the men's events winning 14 of 25 events. Rafael Fortun of Cuba won the 100m gold medal, edging out Art Bragg (USA) by inches on a wet track. Bragg lost to Fortun again in the 200m. The host nation's hero, Delfo Cabrera, the defending Olympic champion, won the first marathon. The biggest controversy occured in the 3000m Steeplechase, where two Americans, Curtis Stone and Browning Ross, had pulled away from the field. Stone slowed down on the last straight and held Ross's hand as they crossed the line together. Argentine officials debated for two hours whether their actions violated rules requiring athletes to make an effort to win, before allowing the results to stand.

Women's Athletics - On the Women's side, the U.S. won only two events: A surprise victory by Jean Patton in the 200m (an event she had never run) and the 4x100m Relay. Ingebord Mello de Preiss (ARG) scored a rare double, winning both the Discus and Shot Put.

Baseball - The U.S. was represented by the Wake Forest College team, who won the silver medal with a 5-2 record. They opened the tournament with two laughers, beating Argentina 29-3 and Brazil 23-4. The Americans lost the deciding game to Cuba by a score of 8-1 in front of an overflow crowd of 8000.

Basketball - The U.S. was represented by a combined team of Indiana State University and AAU Blue n' Gold players, who had to adjust to the South American ball - which was less than round. The Americans (4-0) met Argentina (4-0) in the final. Playing before a screaming Argentine crowd of 25,000 at 1 o'clock in the morning, the tired U.S. players held on to win 57-51, securing the gold medal.

Boxing - Argentina dominated the boxing matches, winning all eight classes. The U.S. boxers managed to win three bronze medals.

Cycling - Argentina dominated the cycling events, winning 7 of 8. The lone exception was Exequiel Ramirez (CHI), who won the 40 Lap Miss and Out race.

Men's Diving - American Sammy Lee won a silver and bronze in the events, both of which were won by Mexico's Joaquin Capilla Perez.

Women's Diving - The U.S. won both events, including Olympic double gold medalist Pat McCormick's platform gold.

Equestrian - Argentina and Chile split the equestrian medals. The only other medalist was Mexico's team bronze in the Prix de Nations. The U.S. did not enter any athletes.

Fencing - Argentina won 3 of the 4 individual events and the team foil event, while the U.S. won the other 2 gold medals.

Men's Gymnastics - Argentina and Cuba split the Gymnastics events with the only two U.S. golds being William Rotzheim's in the All-Around and High Bar.

Modern Pentathlon - Brazil's Captain Eric Tinoco Marquez won the individual title. In the team event, the U.S., third after four events, turned in an amazing performance in the cross-country run to win the gold medal. Brazil was second and Argentina third.

Polo - Argentina (3-0) won the gold, in the sports only Pan-Am appearance. Mexico (2-1) was second, followed by Peru (1-2) and Colombia (0-3). The U.S. did not enter a team.

Rowing - Argentina won all 7 events. The U.S. did not enter any athletes.

Shooting - Argentina swept all 8 team events and 4 individual titles, with the U.S. winning 3 and Peru 1. Gusty winds affected some of the events.

Soccer - Argentina (4-0) won the first soccer gold medal. The U.S. did not enter a team.

Men's Swimming - The U.S. won four of the seven events, with Dick Cleveland amassing three gold medals.

Women's Swimming - The U.S. won four of eight events, including both relays. Mexico's Ana Maria Schultz won two gold medals.

Tennis - Argentina dominated the Tennis competition. Mexico's Imelda Ramirez and Gustavo Palafox began a long successful run of Pan-Am medals with 2 bronze in singles, 1 gold in mixed doubles, and 1 silver in women's doubles between them. The U.S. did not enter any athletes.

Water Polo - The Americans had difficulty adjusting to the ball, which was made of leather, compared to the rubber ball used in the U.S. The tournament featured a series of hard fought matches, with Argentina (4-0) coming out on top followed by Brazil (3-1) and the U.S. (2-2).

Weightlifting - The U.S. pumped iron for the team title and 5 of 6 class titles. The lone exception was the Featherweight class, where Wilkes of Trinidad was the winner. John Davis (USA) set world records for snatch, clean & jerk, and total weight lifted in the Heavyweight class.

Wrestling - The U.S. and Argentina dominated the wrestling matches. The U.S. won 4 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Meanwhile, the Argentines won 4 gold and 4 silvers medals.

Yachting - Argentina won the snipe class while Brazil grabbed the Star title. The U.S. did not enter any boats.

Click Here for a complete list of 1951 Gold Medalists.

THE CLOSING CEREMONIES

The Ist Pan American Games closed on 9 March under floodlights in the main stadium before a crowd of 60,000 spectators. Unlike the Opening Ceremonies there were few outward signs of Peronism.

After the Chilean team won the Prix des Nations Jumping competition, and a special trophy was presented to marathon champion Delfo Cabrera, the parade of 22 flags began. (The flag of Uruguay was included, although no athletes from that nation competed in Buenos Aires.) Once the flagbearers were lined up on the infield, Eva "Evita" Peron tied blue and white ribbons on the end of the flagstaffs.

The President of the Pan American Sports Committee, Avery Brundage, spoke in Spanish from the rostrum. After thanking the organizers, he called on the athletes to assemble in 1955 at Mexico City for the 2nd Pan American Games. President Peron then declared the games closed and Senora Peron also addressed the athletes.

Finally, the Olympic Flag was lowered and the Pan American Flame was extinguished. Fireworks lit up the sky as the ceremony came to a thunderous conclusion.





		THE HOST CITY The Pan American Games originated in 1932. At the Games of the Xth Olympiad in Los Angeles, 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 Ist 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. Unfortunately, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought 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 Ist Pan American Games, this time in 1951.

		THE OPENING CEREMONIES The Ist Pan American Games opened on 25 February in a colorful spectacle presided over by Argentina's President, Gen. Juan Peron and his wife, Eva "Evita" Peron. Indeed, the stadium was decorated with Peronist symbols and Peron's sayings. Gen. and Mrs. Peron entered the stadium in a limousine to the cheers of the capacity crowd of 100,000 spectators. They stood at attention as the Peronist Party song "Muchachos Peronistas" (March of the Peronistas) followed by the Argentine National Anthem. Next, 2513 athletes from 21 nations marched past. Once the athletes were assembled in the infield, Dr. Rodolfo Valenzuela, President of the Organizing Committee made a speech of welcome. He was followed at the rostrum by Avery Brundage, Presidnet of the PASC, who thanked the organizers. He then introduced President Peron who declared the games officially open. The Olympic Flag was then raised, and the Olympic Torch was carried into the stadium by John Sossidis, a greek athlete. The torch was lit at Mount Olympus in Greece. Sossidis carried the torch to an elevated basin and lit the Pan American Flame. Another Greek athlete presented an olive branch to President Peron, followed by a female Argentine athlete who presented a bouquet to Senora Peron. Finally, a male and female member of the Argentine team took the Olympic Oath on behalf of all the competitors.

			THE COMPETITION Men's Athletics - The U.S. dominated the men's events winning 14 of 25 events. Rafael Fortun of Cuba won the 100m gold medal, edging out Art Bragg (USA) by inches on a wet track. Bragg lost to Fortun again in the 200m. The host nation's hero, Delfo Cabrera, the defending Olympic champion, won the first marathon. The biggest controversy occured in the 3000m Steeplechase, where two Americans, Curtis Stone and Browning Ross, had pulled away from the field. Stone slowed down on the last straight and held Ross's hand as they crossed the line together. Argentine officials debated for two hours whether their actions violated rules requiring athletes to make an effort to win, before allowing the results to stand. Women's Athletics - On the Women's side, the U.S. won only two events: A surprise victory by Jean Patton in the 200m (an event she had never run) and the 4x100m Relay. Ingebord Mello de Preiss (ARG) scored a rare double, winning both the Discus and Shot Put. Baseball - The U.S. was represented by the Wake Forest College team, who won the silver medal with a 5-2 record. They opened the tournament with two laughers, beating Argentina 29-3 and Brazil 23-4. The Americans lost the deciding game to Cuba by a score of 8-1 in front of an overflow crowd of 8000. Basketball - The U.S. was represented by a combined team of Indiana State University and AAU Blue n' Gold players, who had to adjust to the South American ball - which was less than round. The Americans (4-0) met Argentina (4-0) in the final. Playing before a screaming Argentine crowd of 25,000 at 1 o'clock in the morning, the tired U.S. players held on to win 57-51, securing the gold medal. Boxing - Argentina dominated the boxing matches, winning all eight classes. The U.S. boxers managed to win three bronze medals. Cycling - Argentina dominated the cycling events, winning 7 of 8. The lone exception was Exequiel Ramirez (CHI), who won the 40 Lap Miss and Out race. Men's Diving - American Sammy Lee won a silver and bronze in the events, both of which were won by Mexico's Joaquin Capilla Perez. Women's Diving - The U.S. won both events, including Olympic double gold medalist Pat McCormick's platform gold. Equestrian - Argentina and Chile split the equestrian medals. The only other medalist was Mexico's team bronze in the Prix de Nations. The U.S. did not enter any athletes. Fencing - Argentina won 3 of the 4 individual events and the team foil event, while the U.S. won the other 2 gold medals. Men's Gymnastics - Argentina and Cuba split the Gymnastics events with the only two U.S. golds being William Rotzheim's in the All-Around and High Bar. Modern Pentathlon - Brazil's Captain Eric Tinoco Marquez won the individual title. In the team event, the U.S., third after four events, turned in an amazing performance in the cross-country run to win the gold medal. Brazil was second and Argentina third. Polo - Argentina (3-0) won the gold, in the sports only Pan-Am appearance. Mexico (2-1) was second, followed by Peru (1-2) and Colombia (0-3). The U.S. did not enter a team. Rowing - Argentina won all 7 events. The U.S. did not enter any athletes. Shooting - Argentina swept all 8 team events and 4 individual titles, with the U.S. winning 3 and Peru 1. Gusty winds affected some of the events. Soccer - Argentina (4-0) won the first soccer gold medal. The U.S. did not enter a team. Men's Swimming - The U.S. won four of the seven events, with Dick Cleveland amassing three gold medals. Women's Swimming - The U.S. won four of eight events, including both relays. Mexico's Ana Maria Schultz won two gold medals. Tennis - Argentina dominated the Tennis competition. Mexico's Imelda Ramirez and Gustavo Palafox began a long successful run of Pan-Am medals with 2 bronze in singles, 1 gold in mixed doubles, and 1 silver in women's doubles between them. The U.S. did not enter any athletes. Water Polo - The Americans had difficulty adjusting to the ball, which was made of leather, compared to the rubber ball used in the U.S. The tournament featured a series of hard fought matches, with Argentina (4-0) coming out on top followed by Brazil (3-1) and the U.S. (2-2). Weightlifting - The U.S. pumped iron for the team title and 5 of 6 class titles. The lone exception was the Featherweight class, where Wilkes of Trinidad was the winner. John Davis (USA) set world records for snatch, clean & jerk, and total weight lifted in the Heavyweight class. Wrestling - The U.S. and Argentina dominated the wrestling matches. The U.S. won 4 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Meanwhile, the Argentines won 4 gold and 4 silvers medals. Yachting - Argentina won the snipe class while Brazil grabbed the Star title. The U.S. did not enter any boats. Click Here for a complete list of 1951 Gold Medalists.

			THE CLOSING CEREMONIES The Ist Pan American Games closed on 9 March under floodlights in the main stadium before a crowd of 60,000 spectators. Unlike the Opening Ceremonies there were few outward signs of Peronism. After the Chilean team won the Prix des Nations Jumping competition, and a special trophy was presented to marathon champion Delfo Cabrera, the parade of 22 flags began. (The flag of Uruguay was included, although no athletes from that nation competed in Buenos Aires.) Once the flagbearers were lined up on the infield, Eva "Evita" Peron tied blue and white ribbons on the end of the flagstaffs. The President of the Pan American Sports Committee, Avery Brundage, spoke in Spanish from the rostrum. After thanking the organizers, he called on the athletes to assemble in 1955 at Mexico City for the 2nd Pan American Games. President Peron then declared the games closed and Senora Peron also addressed the athletes. Finally, the Olympic Flag was lowered and the Pan American Flame was extinguished. Fireworks lit up the sky as the ceremony came to a thunderous conclusion.