1987 Summary

THE HOST CITY

Santiago, Chile, was named host of the Xth Pan American Games. Due to the political and financial problems, the city withdrew in 1984. Quito, Ecuador, was named to replace Santiago. In late 1984 Quito, too, withdrew. Desperate, PASO held a new election. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA was planning to bid on the 1991 Games but submitted a bid for 1987. Havana, Cuba was also interested. Indianapolis won, angering Fidel Castro. PASO smoothed his feathers by agreeing to give Havana the 1991 games if Cuba participated at Indianapolis.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

The Games opened on 8 August with the most lavish Opening Ceremony in Pan American Games history. The Walt Disney Co. was hired to produce a 2 hour extraveganza, "The Magic That's America". 6000 volunteers, a 20,000 person card section, 80 Disney characters and a 1027 piece marching band participated at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The ceremony began, in front of 80,000 spectators, with a 100 trumpet fanfare leading into the official anthem of the 1987 games, written by Argentine-born composer Lalo Schifrin. A dance routine followed. Mickey Mouse introduced the games mascot, Amigo, a green parrot.

Part 2 featured ballons, biplanes, barbershop quartets, square dancers, antique cars, and other items associated with early 1900's America.

Part 3 featured the official protocol. The 4453 athletes from 38 nations marched in review and lined up on the pit road. The USA team, led by one-armed baseball pitcher Jim Abbott, entered last to the strains of the "Stars and Stripes Forever". Mard D. Miles, President of PAX-I (the organizing committee) welcomed the athletes and PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana spoke: "Most of our countries are not strong when it comes to sports. For me it's a very happy moment every time a small nation wins a medal. We admire the United States as a world power just as we admire Cuba as a sports power. But we also admire everyone who makes an effort to win." After presenting the PASO Flag to Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut III, President Rana introduced the Vice-President of the United States, George H. W. Bush. Vice-President Bush spoke the following words: "Today, August 8th, 1987, I do solemnly proclaim open the Tenth Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States of America." The Olympic. PASO, USA, and Indianapolis Flags were raised. The Pan American Torch was carried the length of the straightaway by basketball legend Oscar Robinson. He handed off to gymnast Kristie Phillips. She jogged back to the stage and handed off to track legend Wilma Rudolph, who climbed the steps of the "Aztec Temple" to the cauldron. She turned and faced the crowd, thrust the torch high above her head, and lit the Pan American Flame.

The 4th and final segment featured a conga line 200 strong, dancers from Trinidad, confetti and fireworks. Miss Sandi Patti, a christian singer, sang "Pan American Anthem", written by Indinapolis schoolteacher Carol Forbes, while 20 deaf children signed the words. Ms. Forbes, in an interview with the Indianapolis Star, explained: "The song says we have come together to share in the brotherhood of man, that we are striving to do our best."

THE COMPETITION

(Coming Soon)

Click here for list of 1987 Gold Medalists.

THE CLOSING CEREMONIES

The Games closed on 23 August in the Hoosier Dome. The ceremony was orginially planned for the American Legion Mall, but the veterans objected to the use of the Cuban Flag and Anthem.

A crowd of 40,000 watched the flagbearers and athletes parade into the stadium. Gymnast Kelly Garrison-Steves carried the U.S. Flag. PAX-I Chairman Theodore "Ted" Boehm thanked the volunteers and staff. PASO President Rana then spoke: "Today, sad and happy...Sad, because we finish. Happy, because we know that these games remain in history. But more than in history, within our hearts." He then declared the games closed.

The Olympic, PASO, USA, and Indianapolis Flags were lowered simultaneously. Then Jose Ramon Fernandez Alvarez, Cuban Minister of Education, raised the Cuban Flag as the Cuban National Anthem was played for Havana 1991. Then the Pan American Flame was extinguished.

Dance Kaleidescope and a 545 member children's choir performed.

The ceremony ended with a concert by Miami Sound Machine. Cuban officials had protested the groups appearance because the members were Cuban exiles. But the Cuban team took part in the ceremony anyway. Some athletes climbed onstage to dance with the band and had to be shooed off by security.

At a news conference, PASO Pres. Rana called the games the best ever. Better than "even the games I organized" in 1975.





THE HOST CITY Santiago, Chile, was named host of the Xth Pan American Games. Due to the political and financial problems, the city withdrew in 1984. Quito, Ecuador, was named to replace Santiago. In late 1984 Quito, too, withdrew. Desperate, PASO held a new election. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA was planning to bid on the 1991 Games but submitted a bid for 1987. Havana, Cuba was also interested. Indianapolis won, angering Fidel Castro. PASO smoothed his feathers by agreeing to give Havana the 1991 games if Cuba participated at Indianapolis.

	THE OPENING CEREMONIES The Games opened on 8 August with the most lavish Opening Ceremony in Pan American Games history. The Walt Disney Co. was hired to produce a 2 hour extraveganza, "The Magic That's America". 6000 volunteers, a 20,000 person card section, 80 Disney characters and a 1027 piece marching band participated at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The ceremony began, in front of 80,000 spectators, with a 100 trumpet fanfare leading into the official anthem of the 1987 games, written by Argentine-born composer Lalo Schifrin. A dance routine followed. Mickey Mouse introduced the games mascot, Amigo, a green parrot. Part 2 featured ballons, biplanes, barbershop quartets, square dancers, antique cars, and other items associated with early 1900's America. Part 3 featured the official protocol. The 4453 athletes from 38 nations marched in review and lined up on the pit road. The USA team, led by one-armed baseball pitcher Jim Abbott, entered last to the strains of the "Stars and Stripes Forever". Mard D. Miles, President of PAX-I (the organizing committee) welcomed the athletes and PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana spoke: "Most of our countries are not strong when it comes to sports. For me it's a very happy moment every time a small nation wins a medal. We admire the United States as a world power just as we admire Cuba as a sports power. But we also admire everyone who makes an effort to win." After presenting the PASO Flag to Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut III, President Rana introduced the Vice-President of the United States, George H. W. Bush. Vice-President Bush spoke the following words: "Today, August 8th, 1987, I do solemnly proclaim open the Tenth Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States of America." The Olympic. PASO, USA, and Indianapolis Flags were raised. The Pan American Torch was carried the length of the straightaway by basketball legend Oscar Robinson. He handed off to gymnast Kristie Phillips. She jogged back to the stage and handed off to track legend Wilma Rudolph, who climbed the steps of the "Aztec Temple" to the cauldron. She turned and faced the crowd, thrust the torch high above her head, and lit the Pan American Flame. The 4th and final segment featured a conga line 200 strong, dancers from Trinidad, confetti and fireworks. Miss Sandi Patti, a christian singer, sang "Pan American Anthem", written by Indinapolis schoolteacher Carol Forbes, while 20 deaf children signed the words. Ms. Forbes, in an interview with the Indianapolis Star, explained: "The song says we have come together to share in the brotherhood of man, that we are striving to do our best."

		THE COMPETITION (Coming Soon) Click here for list of 1987 Gold Medalists.

		THE CLOSING CEREMONIES The Games closed on 23 August in the Hoosier Dome. The ceremony was orginially planned for the American Legion Mall, but the veterans objected to the use of the Cuban Flag and Anthem. A crowd of 40,000 watched the flagbearers and athletes parade into the stadium. Gymnast Kelly Garrison-Steves carried the U.S. Flag. PAX-I Chairman Theodore "Ted" Boehm thanked the volunteers and staff. PASO President Rana then spoke: "Today, sad and happy...Sad, because we finish. Happy, because we know that these games remain in history. But more than in history, within our hearts." He then declared the games closed. The Olympic, PASO, USA, and Indianapolis Flags were lowered simultaneously. Then Jose Ramon Fernandez Alvarez, Cuban Minister of Education, raised the Cuban Flag as the Cuban National Anthem was played for Havana 1991. Then the Pan American Flame was extinguished. Dance Kaleidescope and a 545 member children's choir performed. The ceremony ended with a concert by Miami Sound Machine. Cuban officials had protested the groups appearance because the members were Cuban exiles. But the Cuban team took part in the ceremony anyway. Some athletes climbed onstage to dance with the band and had to be shooed off by security. At a news conference, PASO Pres. Rana called the games the best ever. Better than "even the games I organized" in 1975.