Everything is ready for the Pan American Flame to be ignited this Friday. The flame represents union, equality and fraternity between the different peoples and nations of the continent, serving as one of the most iconic symbols of each of the previous 18 editions of the Pan American Games.
At the first Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1951, the flame was ignited and flown in from Greece. At Mexico City 1955, the lighting ceremony began a new tradition at the Cerro de la Estrella in Mexico.
However, after the Havana 1991 Pan American Games, the ceremony was moved to the Teotihuacan Archeological Complex for logistical and security reasons. The Mar del Plata 1995 Pan American Games were the first to feature this new tradition. Since then, the ceremony has taken place in front of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon every four years, most recently for the Games of Lima 2019.
This September 29 at 11:00 a.m. (local time) the New Flame will be lit in Teotihuacan before being transported by plane to Santiago, Chile, starting the Official Torch Relay of the XIX Pan American Games of Santiago 2023. Upon arrival to Santiago on September 30, the Pan American Flame will be received by Chilean President Gabriel Boric. The flame will then begin the Torch Relay in three areas of Chile to start its journey to the National Stadium where it will arrive on October 20 for the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
|
