Sport and art mix at the opening of the XVII Pan American Games 2015. The show put on by Cirque du Soleil – a famous circus troupe that aims to enchant the world and which counts former athletes in its cast – conveys the values ​​of sports practice. and revived the tradition of Canadian culture during the show that opened the largest sporting competition in the Americas, this Friday evening (10.07), in Toronto, Canada. Sports Minister George Hilton was present at the ceremony.

Before the opening, George Hilton met with the presidents of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, and of Brazil, Carlos Arthur Nuzman. During the conversation, he spoke about the preparations of the city of Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Olympic Games. “We have renewed here at the Toronto Pan, together with Thomas Bach, the commitment to soon organize the best Olympic Games of all time. times a year,” said the minister.

The party at Rogers Center Stadium, next to the picture-postcard CN Tower, demonstrated cultural pluralism and welcomed the athletes. At the start of the ceremony, the Pan American flame arrived at the stadium after 41 days of traveling through 130 Canadian communities since its lighting in Teotihuacan, Mexico. From the hands of former athlete Donovan Bailey, Olympic champion in 100m athletics in 1996 and known in the country as the fastest man in the world, the symbol entered the main stage and was highlighted all throughout the opening ceremony.

The first country to enter was Argentina. Little by little, the 41 teams paraded and were welcomed by the public present at the stadium. Holder of 18 medals at the Pan American Games, swimmer Thiago Pereira carried the Brazilian flag and led the athletes in the traditional parade. The green and yellow team was welcomed with joy. The athletes returned the favor and took several selfies shared on social media.

Investments

Made up of 590 athletes, the national delegation includes 417 athletes benefiting from the Bolsa-Atleta or Bolsa Pódio from the Ministry of Sports. Thus, the Toronto edition will have just over 70% of the largest delegation in history at an event outside Brazil receiving direct resources from the federal government.

With more than half a billion reais in investments from the Ministry of Sports and other federal government actions since 2010, the Brazilian team faces the Toronto Pan backed to achieve the best results in the last mega multi-sport event before Rio 2016. Olympic Games. The resources range from Bolsa-Atleta, Bolsa Pódio (benefits for athletes between R$5,000 and R$15,000), the Agnelo/Piva law, the incentive law to agreements signed with the confederations.

Promote culture

The show proposed by Cirque du Soleil It covered First Nations heritage, cultural diversity, Canadian history and the inspiring power of athletes. Inspired by the journey towards realizing a dream and celebrating the men and women who helped build an original city, the public was able to discover the origins of the host of the Games.

The start of the presentation showed the awakening of a nation, with tributes to Canadian indigenous peoples. The difficulties and challenge of the unknown were also present in the show. In another era, we saw the creation of the Pan American Games, the transformation of a territory into a country and the realization of a dream.

It was to Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, welcoming the athletes and the public and kicking off the official start of the Games: “This evening, I solemnly declare the Pan American Games open.” The Pan-American flame, which marked the end of the ceremony, was lit by Steve Nash, famous basketball player.

Breno Barros, from Toronto – Ministry of Sports