1999 Summary

THE HOST CITY

(Coming Soon)

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

The games opened on 23 July in Winnipeg Stadium before a capacity crowd 40,000 spectators. Most of the music for the ceremony was composed by Winnipeg native Victor Davies.

The ceremony began with the arrival of dignitaries. The Governor-General of Canada was greeted with the "Vice-Regal Salute".

Next 5000 athletes from 42 nations paraded into the stadium alphabetically behind Argentina, the founder of the games. The biggest cheers were saved for the last team, Canada, whose flag was carried by Winnipeg native Tanya Dubnicoff, a cyclist. The Canadian men's water polo team caused a ruckus by smuggling a giant Canadian flag into the ceremony, then running around with it. No punishment was handed down.

After "The Welcome" production number, Native Americans presented native blankets to each delegantion and dignitary. A fanfare heralded the arrival of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who held a huge Canadian flag as "O Canada" was sung and the Royal Canadian Armed Forces' Snowbirds aerial stunt team flew over. As the Olympic Hymn was played the Olympic Flag was raised on the rim of the stadium.

Sandy Riley, Chairman of the 1999 Pan American Games Society (organizing committee), then spoke: "I have a special word to all the athletes; do your very best, have a great time and may the friendships and memories of the XIIIth Pan Am Games last a lifetime." HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, representing Queen Elizabeth II, also spoke: "I remember when my father stood here 32 years ago. I remember the elegance of the Opening Ceremony, the same as I see here tonight. However, the most striking difference I do notice...is that it is not raining tonight...This is my third visit to Manitoba and I am very excited to see some of the events over the next few days. This is an extraordinary time for those who participate in these Games and I hope all of you reach your goals and make your dreams a reality."

Accompanied by a bagpipe band, the ceremonial PASO Flag was carried into the stadium. After the Mayor of Mar del Plata presented the flag to Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, the flag was raised in one corner of the stadium. "Go For Gold", a production number followed.

PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana then spoke. Or he tried to. As he spoke is Spanish (with no translation for the stadium audience) the crowd began "the wave". President Rana was forced to wait for the"wave" to stop before continuing his remarks. At the end he introduced Romeo LeBlanc, Governor-General of Canada, who declared the games officially open. Sherman Greenfeld (raquetball) and Denyse Julien (badminton) took the athletes' oath. They were followed by Janice McClintock (Field Hockey) who took the officials' oath. Another production number, "City of the Plains", followed.

Finally, the torch arrived. In 1967, 10 Native American runners carried the Pan American Torch from Minneapolis to Winnipeg, only to be replaced by a white runner at the entrance to the stadium. 32 years later, the 7 surviving runners were allowed to carry the torch into Winnipeg Stadium, riding in motorized canoes. The torch was passed to Ida Whitford, a 12 year old Native American athlete. She then passed the torch to Alwyn Morris (Canoeing/Kayaking) and Silken Laumann (Rowing) who climbed the steps and lit the flame together. Fireworks brought the ceremony to a close.

THE COMPETITION

(Coming Soon)

Click here for list of 1999 Gold Medalists

THE CLOSING CEREMONIES

"5,4,3,2,1..." The audience counted down the last seconds until the start of the Closing Ceremony, held on 8 August in Winnipeg Stadium before a capacity crowd. The flagbearers from 42 nations paraded into the stadium, followed by the athletes. The President of the 1999 Pan American Games society, Don MacKenzie, spoke: "The Pan Am Flame will be extinguished this evening, but the spirit of the Games wil endure in our memories and in the many legacies that will prosper in our communities." He was followed by Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray: "You have defined what athleticism and citizenship are all about. I am humbled to be your Mayor. Winnipeg is, and always will be, the heart of this great country and a home town to all the Americas." He then said "Thank You." in English, Spanish, French, Portugese, and several Native American languages.

Following a production number, the Premier of Manitoba, Gary Filmon, spoke: "Take every opportunity to celebrate the good things in life. Follow your dreams. Here in the heart of Canada...you've proven once again that Manitobans can do anything and do it world class." Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien then spoke: "To each and every athlete I want to thank you for allowing us the privilege of watching your dreams come true. [Remember the] friendships what were forged on the playing fields. [Winnipeg,] all of Canada is proud of you."

PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana, in his speech, asked the Mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, to present the PASO flag to the Mayor of Santo Domingo, host of the XIVth Pan American Games in 2003. He then declared the games closed ending by declaring Winnipeg 1999 "the best games of our history."

Next, a fanfare sounded as the Olympic, Canadian, Manitoba, and Winnipeg flags were lowered simultaneously from the rim of the stadium. Then, the ceremonial PASO flag was lowered from its place in the corner of the stadium and carried out. As the production number "Ode to the Athletes" was performed, the Pan American Flame was extinguished. The Dominican Republic Flag was then raised on the rim of the stadium as the national anthem was played.

The ceremony concluded with entertainment, concluding with a reunion of Winnipeg's own "Guess Who" who performed four songs including "American Woman". A massive fireworks display lit up the sky as the games ended.





THE HOST CITY (Coming Soon)

	THE OPENING CEREMONIES The games opened on 23 July in Winnipeg Stadium before a capacity crowd 40,000 spectators. Most of the music for the ceremony was composed by Winnipeg native Victor Davies. The ceremony began with the arrival of dignitaries. The Governor-General of Canada was greeted with the "Vice-Regal Salute". Next 5000 athletes from 42 nations paraded into the stadium alphabetically behind Argentina, the founder of the games. The biggest cheers were saved for the last team, Canada, whose flag was carried by Winnipeg native Tanya Dubnicoff, a cyclist. The Canadian men's water polo team caused a ruckus by smuggling a giant Canadian flag into the ceremony, then running around with it. No punishment was handed down. After "The Welcome" production number, Native Americans presented native blankets to each delegantion and dignitary. A fanfare heralded the arrival of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who held a huge Canadian flag as "O Canada" was sung and the Royal Canadian Armed Forces' Snowbirds aerial stunt team flew over. As the Olympic Hymn was played the Olympic Flag was raised on the rim of the stadium. Sandy Riley, Chairman of the 1999 Pan American Games Society (organizing committee), then spoke: "I have a special word to all the athletes; do your very best, have a great time and may the friendships and memories of the XIIIth Pan Am Games last a lifetime." HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, representing Queen Elizabeth II, also spoke: "I remember when my father stood here 32 years ago. I remember the elegance of the Opening Ceremony, the same as I see here tonight. However, the most striking difference I do notice...is that it is not raining tonight...This is my third visit to Manitoba and I am very excited to see some of the events over the next few days. This is an extraordinary time for those who participate in these Games and I hope all of you reach your goals and make your dreams a reality." Accompanied by a bagpipe band, the ceremonial PASO Flag was carried into the stadium. After the Mayor of Mar del Plata presented the flag to Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, the flag was raised in one corner of the stadium. "Go For Gold", a production number followed. PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana then spoke. Or he tried to. As he spoke is Spanish (with no translation for the stadium audience) the crowd began "the wave". President Rana was forced to wait for the"wave" to stop before continuing his remarks. At the end he introduced Romeo LeBlanc, Governor-General of Canada, who declared the games officially open. Sherman Greenfeld (raquetball) and Denyse Julien (badminton) took the athletes' oath. They were followed by Janice McClintock (Field Hockey) who took the officials' oath. Another production number, "City of the Plains", followed. Finally, the torch arrived. In 1967, 10 Native American runners carried the Pan American Torch from Minneapolis to Winnipeg, only to be replaced by a white runner at the entrance to the stadium. 32 years later, the 7 surviving runners were allowed to carry the torch into Winnipeg Stadium, riding in motorized canoes. The torch was passed to Ida Whitford, a 12 year old Native American athlete. She then passed the torch to Alwyn Morris (Canoeing/Kayaking) and Silken Laumann (Rowing) who climbed the steps and lit the flame together. Fireworks brought the ceremony to a close.

		THE COMPETITION (Coming Soon) Click here for list of 1999 Gold Medalists

		THE CLOSING CEREMONIES "5,4,3,2,1..." The audience counted down the last seconds until the start of the Closing Ceremony, held on 8 August in Winnipeg Stadium before a capacity crowd. The flagbearers from 42 nations paraded into the stadium, followed by the athletes. The President of the 1999 Pan American Games society, Don MacKenzie, spoke: "The Pan Am Flame will be extinguished this evening, but the spirit of the Games wil endure in our memories and in the many legacies that will prosper in our communities." He was followed by Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray: "You have defined what athleticism and citizenship are all about. I am humbled to be your Mayor. Winnipeg is, and always will be, the heart of this great country and a home town to all the Americas." He then said "Thank You." in English, Spanish, French, Portugese, and several Native American languages. Following a production number, the Premier of Manitoba, Gary Filmon, spoke: "Take every opportunity to celebrate the good things in life. Follow your dreams. Here in the heart of Canada...you've proven once again that Manitobans can do anything and do it world class." Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien then spoke: "To each and every athlete I want to thank you for allowing us the privilege of watching your dreams come true. [Remember the] friendships what were forged on the playing fields. [Winnipeg,] all of Canada is proud of you." PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana, in his speech, asked the Mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, to present the PASO flag to the Mayor of Santo Domingo, host of the XIVth Pan American Games in 2003. He then declared the games closed ending by declaring Winnipeg 1999 "the best games of our history." Next, a fanfare sounded as the Olympic, Canadian, Manitoba, and Winnipeg flags were lowered simultaneously from the rim of the stadium. Then, the ceremonial PASO flag was lowered from its place in the corner of the stadium and carried out. As the production number "Ode to the Athletes" was performed, the Pan American Flame was extinguished. The Dominican Republic Flag was then raised on the rim of the stadium as the national anthem was played. The ceremony concluded with entertainment, concluding with a reunion of Winnipeg's own "Guess Who" who performed four songs including "American Woman". A massive fireworks display lit up the sky as the games ended.