The objectives of the Brazilian delegation at the Pan American Games in Santiago are well defined: Olympic places at Paris 2024 and remaining among the three main powers of the continent in the medal table. And yes, there will be a special dispute to reach the second goal: Brazil x Canada.

For several years, the two countries have been fighting for second place on the American continent, behind the United States. In 2007 and 2011, Brazil was third in the Pan, behind the United States and Cuba, but ahead of Canada.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil was ahead of its rivals and at the 2019 Pan-2019 it was second with Canada in fourth place, but at the 2021 Olympics the Canadians were a bit better (11th place with 24 medals in total against Brazil, 12th with 21 (the gold number was the same 7 and the Brazilians had one silver less).

The two delegations arrive with several Olympic medalists to participate in the Pan de Santiago. Canada, except in 2015 when it hosted the Pan American Games in Toronto and finished second in the tournament, has always taken about 60% of its main delegation to the competition, but this year the “footprint” is different. Canadians are part of what we call the A team in 80% of the sports they will participate in.

The fight to become the second power in the Americas is promising. Several direct competitions between the two countries will take place in Santiago, such as canoeing, beach volleyball, men’s gymnastics and women’s swimming.

Keeping an eye on Paris 2024

In total, 33 sports from Pan de Santiago will distribute places for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (21 with direct classification and 12 others with important points for the Olympic classification). Currently, Brazil already has 105 places for next year’s Olympics.