1963 Summary

THE HOST CITY

(Coming Soon)

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

The Games opened on 20 April, under gray skies, in 60,000 seat Pacaembu Stadium before a crowd of 40,000 people. The 1665 athletes from 22 nations paraded into the stadium to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. After the athletes were assembled on the infield, Adhemar de Barros, Governor of Sao Paulo, declared the Games open. Carrier pigeons, representing the doves of peace, were released and Amaury Passos, Brazilian basketball star, took the athletes' oath. Finally, Brazilian high jumper Jose Teles da Conceicao carried the Pan American Torch into the stadium. Accompanied by track and field athletes James Beatty (USA), Osvaldo Suarez (MEX), and Eligio Batica (MEX), Teles da Conceicao circled the stadium before lighting the Pan American Glame. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Brazilian National Anthem.

THE COMPETITION

Men's Athletics - The competition was marked by a "fast gun" - a track term meaning the starter had a quick trigger finger after setting the runners. One of the most controversial finishes occurred in the 200m. Ollan Cassall (USA) and Rafael Sandrea (VEN) crossed the line in a dead heat. After an hour reviewing the photo finish, Sandrea was declared the winner. The biggest upset occurred in the 10,000m when Pete McArdle (USA) defeated Oswaldo Suarez, the 2 time Pan-Am gold medalist and record holder. Incredibly, McArdle bettered the Pan-Am record by 25.1 seconds. A comic moment came in the marathon, when the leader was misidentified by officials as the runners approached the finish line. The mistake was quickly corrected. David Tork (USA) won the Pole Vault, despite breaking his pole during the competition. Al Hall won his second consecutive Hammer Throw gold.

Women's Athletics - The U.S. dominated the events. There was an unusual tie in the 100m. Edith McGuire (USA) and Miguelina Gobian each tied the Pan-Am record.

Baseball - Cuba won the gold medal, defeating the U.S. by scores of 13-1 and 3-1. The biggest upset was Mexico's 5-2 defeat of Cuba. Cuba denied charges it was illegally using professional players.

Men's Basketball - The U.S. won its third consecutive gold medal. Among its stars was a future NBA hall of famer - Willis Reed.

Women's Basketball - The U.S. lost to Brazil 70-59, forcing a 1 game playoff for the gold. The Americans avenged their loss, winning their third straight gold medal, by a score of 59-43.

Boxing - Brazil dominated the bouts with 3 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medal. The U.S. won 2 gold and 4 bronze.

Cycling - The competition was wide open, medals going to the U.S., Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Trinidad, and Mexico. Argentina's Carlos Vasquez set a Pan-Am record in the 1000m Time Trial.

Men's Diving - Canada's Thomas Dinsley barely won the 3m Springboard gold ahead of Richard Gilbert (USA). American Bob Webster won the 10m Platform event.

Women's Diving - Barbara McAllister, despite a sore throat, broke the Pan-Am record in the 3m Springboard event, and Americans finished 1-2 in the 10m Plaform event.

Equestrian - Paricia Galvin won her second consecutive gold medal in Dressage. The U.S. won 4 of 6 gold medals.

Fencing - The U.S. won all 4 team and 2 individual gold medals. Argentina and Cuba split the other two golds.

Men's Gymnastics - The U.S. won the team gold, but Canada's Fred Weiller was the outstanding individual athlete with 3 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Abe Grossfeld (USA) won his third consecutive Horizontal Bar title.

Women's Gymnastics - The U.S. dominated the competition, winning all 6 events, although the team event was a very close finish among the top four teams.

Judo - The U.S. won 3 or 4 classes (and 1 silver) in the sport's Pan-Am debut. The Open class final was the most controversial, with Benjamin Campbell (USA) defeating Kastrig et Mehdi (BRA) after the Brazilian was first declared the winner.

Modern Pentathlon - The U.S. swept the individual medals.

Rowing - The rowing competitiors not only had to compete against each other, but also against a stiff crosswind and rough waters. The U.S. won 4 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Canada, Uruguay, and Argentina also won gold medals. Seymour Cromwell (USA) was perhaps the toughest competitor in Sao Paulo. He won the Single Sculls while battling a 101 degree fever.

Shooting - The U.S. displayed its usual dominance on the shooting range, winning 13 of 14 gold medals, 5 silvers, and 2 bronze. 5 Pan-Am and 2 world records were also set.

Soccer - Argentina's winning streak ended at 3 gold as the Brazilians (4-0-1) win their first Pan-Am gold. They were followed by Argentina (4-0-1) and Chile (3-1-1). Uruguay was fourth and the U.S. fifth.

Men's Swimming - The U.S. again won all 8 events, dominating the meet. They set Pan-Am records in each event.

Women's Swimming - The U.S. again won all 8 events, repeating its 1959 results, and broke 7 Pan-Am records.

Synchronized Swimming - The U.S. won all three gold medals and 2 silvers.

Tennis - The tournament was characterized by numerous upsets, with seeded players losing early to unknowns. The outstanding competitor was Brazil's Maria Bueno with 2 gold medals in the women's singles and doubles.

Men's Volleyball - Brazil (5-0) defeated the U.S. (4-1) for the gold medal.

Women's Volleyball - Brazil finished ahead of the U.S., who had a tendancy to win the first game of their matches before dropping the last three.

Water Polo - Brazil (7-0-1) won its first Pan-Am gold, ahead of the U.S. (4-2-1) and Argentina.

Weightlifting - The U.S. won 6 of 7 gold medals and broke 10 Pan-Am records. A surprise winner was British Guiana's Dias Martins who won the Bantamweight class.

Wrestling - As at Chicago, the U.S. dominated all 8 classes in Sao Paulo. And, again, the Americans defeated every wrestler they faced.

Yachting - Brazil won 3 gold medals, the U.S. 2, and Argentina 1.

Click Here for a complete list of 1963 Gold Medalists.

THE CLOSING CEREMONIES

The Games closed on 5 May in Paecambu Stadium. The ceremony began with a parade of flagbearers. Ted Nash, a rowing gold medalist, carried the U.S. flag. After the flagbearers formed a semi-circle around the rostrum, the President of the Pan American Sports Organization, Gen. Jose Clark declared the Games closed. As he spoke the crowd lit paper torches creating an unforgettable sight. The Olympic and PASO Flags were lowered and presented to Winnipeg, Canada, host of the Vth Pan American Games. As the flagbearers marched out the scoreboard flashed its final message: "Until Winnipeg".





		THE HOST CITY (Coming Soon)

		THE OPENING CEREMONIES The Games opened on 20 April, under gray skies, in 60,000 seat Pacaembu Stadium before a crowd of 40,000 people. The 1665 athletes from 22 nations paraded into the stadium to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. After the athletes were assembled on the infield, Adhemar de Barros, Governor of Sao Paulo, declared the Games open. Carrier pigeons, representing the doves of peace, were released and Amaury Passos, Brazilian basketball star, took the athletes' oath. Finally, Brazilian high jumper Jose Teles da Conceicao carried the Pan American Torch into the stadium. Accompanied by track and field athletes James Beatty (USA), Osvaldo Suarez (MEX), and Eligio Batica (MEX), Teles da Conceicao circled the stadium before lighting the Pan American Glame. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Brazilian National Anthem.

			THE COMPETITION Men's Athletics - The competition was marked by a "fast gun" - a track term meaning the starter had a quick trigger finger after setting the runners. One of the most controversial finishes occurred in the 200m. Ollan Cassall (USA) and Rafael Sandrea (VEN) crossed the line in a dead heat. After an hour reviewing the photo finish, Sandrea was declared the winner. The biggest upset occurred in the 10,000m when Pete McArdle (USA) defeated Oswaldo Suarez, the 2 time Pan-Am gold medalist and record holder. Incredibly, McArdle bettered the Pan-Am record by 25.1 seconds. A comic moment came in the marathon, when the leader was misidentified by officials as the runners approached the finish line. The mistake was quickly corrected. David Tork (USA) won the Pole Vault, despite breaking his pole during the competition. Al Hall won his second consecutive Hammer Throw gold. Women's Athletics - The U.S. dominated the events. There was an unusual tie in the 100m. Edith McGuire (USA) and Miguelina Gobian each tied the Pan-Am record. Baseball - Cuba won the gold medal, defeating the U.S. by scores of 13-1 and 3-1. The biggest upset was Mexico's 5-2 defeat of Cuba. Cuba denied charges it was illegally using professional players. Men's Basketball - The U.S. won its third consecutive gold medal. Among its stars was a future NBA hall of famer - Willis Reed. Women's Basketball - The U.S. lost to Brazil 70-59, forcing a 1 game playoff for the gold. The Americans avenged their loss, winning their third straight gold medal, by a score of 59-43. Boxing - Brazil dominated the bouts with 3 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medal. The U.S. won 2 gold and 4 bronze. Cycling - The competition was wide open, medals going to the U.S., Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Trinidad, and Mexico. Argentina's Carlos Vasquez set a Pan-Am record in the 1000m Time Trial. Men's Diving - Canada's Thomas Dinsley barely won the 3m Springboard gold ahead of Richard Gilbert (USA). American Bob Webster won the 10m Platform event. Women's Diving - Barbara McAllister, despite a sore throat, broke the Pan-Am record in the 3m Springboard event, and Americans finished 1-2 in the 10m Plaform event. Equestrian - Paricia Galvin won her second consecutive gold medal in Dressage. The U.S. won 4 of 6 gold medals. Fencing - The U.S. won all 4 team and 2 individual gold medals. Argentina and Cuba split the other two golds. Men's Gymnastics - The U.S. won the team gold, but Canada's Fred Weiller was the outstanding individual athlete with 3 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Abe Grossfeld (USA) won his third consecutive Horizontal Bar title. Women's Gymnastics - The U.S. dominated the competition, winning all 6 events, although the team event was a very close finish among the top four teams. Judo - The U.S. won 3 or 4 classes (and 1 silver) in the sport's Pan-Am debut. The Open class final was the most controversial, with Benjamin Campbell (USA) defeating Kastrig et Mehdi (BRA) after the Brazilian was first declared the winner. Modern Pentathlon - The U.S. swept the individual medals. Rowing - The rowing competitiors not only had to compete against each other, but also against a stiff crosswind and rough waters. The U.S. won 4 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Canada, Uruguay, and Argentina also won gold medals. Seymour Cromwell (USA) was perhaps the toughest competitor in Sao Paulo. He won the Single Sculls while battling a 101 degree fever. Shooting - The U.S. displayed its usual dominance on the shooting range, winning 13 of 14 gold medals, 5 silvers, and 2 bronze. 5 Pan-Am and 2 world records were also set. Soccer - Argentina's winning streak ended at 3 gold as the Brazilians (4-0-1) win their first Pan-Am gold. They were followed by Argentina (4-0-1) and Chile (3-1-1). Uruguay was fourth and the U.S. fifth. Men's Swimming - The U.S. again won all 8 events, dominating the meet. They set Pan-Am records in each event. Women's Swimming - The U.S. again won all 8 events, repeating its 1959 results, and broke 7 Pan-Am records. Synchronized Swimming - The U.S. won all three gold medals and 2 silvers. Tennis - The tournament was characterized by numerous upsets, with seeded players losing early to unknowns. The outstanding competitor was Brazil's Maria Bueno with 2 gold medals in the women's singles and doubles. Men's Volleyball - Brazil (5-0) defeated the U.S. (4-1) for the gold medal. Women's Volleyball - Brazil finished ahead of the U.S., who had a tendancy to win the first game of their matches before dropping the last three. Water Polo - Brazil (7-0-1) won its first Pan-Am gold, ahead of the U.S. (4-2-1) and Argentina. Weightlifting - The U.S. won 6 of 7 gold medals and broke 10 Pan-Am records. A surprise winner was British Guiana's Dias Martins who won the Bantamweight class. Wrestling - As at Chicago, the U.S. dominated all 8 classes in Sao Paulo. And, again, the Americans defeated every wrestler they faced. Yachting - Brazil won 3 gold medals, the U.S. 2, and Argentina 1. Click Here for a complete list of 1963 Gold Medalists.

		THE CLOSING CEREMONIES The Games closed on 5 May in Paecambu Stadium. The ceremony began with a parade of flagbearers. Ted Nash, a rowing gold medalist, carried the U.S. flag. After the flagbearers formed a semi-circle around the rostrum, the President of the Pan American Sports Organization, Gen. Jose Clark declared the Games closed. As he spoke the crowd lit paper torches creating an unforgettable sight. The Olympic and PASO Flags were lowered and presented to Winnipeg, Canada, host of the Vth Pan American Games. As the flagbearers marched out the scoreboard flashed its final message: "Until Winnipeg".