1995 Pan American Games

The 1995 Pan American Games, officially known as the XII Pan American Games (Spanish: XII Juegos Panamericanos) and commonly known as Mar del Plata 1995, were held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from 12 to 26 March 1995. After 44 years, this was the Pan American Games' first return to the country that hosted the first Games, in 1951.

XII Pan American Games

Host	Mar del Plata, Argentina
Nations	42
Athletes	5,144
Events	309 in 34 sports
Opening	March 12
Closing	March 26
Opened by	President Carlos Menem
Cauldron lighter	Nora Vega
Main venue	Estadio José María Minella
← 1991 Havana 1999 Winnipeg →

Overview

The seaside resort city of Mar del Plata hosted the XII Pan American Games. The city of 600,000 is located 400 km south of Buenos Aires. Welcoming 5,144 athletes from 42 countries of PASO community, events were held in 34 different sports. The Games were held early by Northern Hemisphere standards, but at the end of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Organizers spread the 1995 games throughout Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Parana, and Mar del Plata.^[1]

Bidding process

Main article: Bids for the 1995 Pan American Games

Only Mar del Plata submitted a bid to host the 1995 Pan American Games that was recognized by the Pan American Sports Organization (OPEPA). Honoring an agreement that was made after Mar del Plata withdrew their bid for the 1991 Pan American Games, ODEPA selected Mar del Plata as the host city for the 1995 games at their General Assembly in Havana, Cuba in October 1989.^[2]

Venues

Mar del Plata

• Estadio José María Minella: Opening and Closing ceremonies, Football
• Justo Román Athletic stadium: Athletics
• Polideportivo Islas Malvinas: Basketball, Volleyball
• Municipal Velodrome: Cycling
• Pan American Field Hockey Stadium: Field Hockey
• Alberto Zorrilla Natatorium: Swimming
• Patinódromo Municipal: Roller sports (skating)
• Laguna de los Padres: Rowing, Canoeing

Buenos Aires

• CeNARD: Badminton^[3]

Mascot and logo

Lobi, mascot of the games

The mascot, Lobi, is a sea lion, an animal commonly found in the waters of Mar de Plata. He stands for the host city and is displayed with welcoming open arms. The words in the poster are constructed to imply a launching point or podium.^[4]

Medal count

For a more comprehensive list, see 1995 Pan American Games medal table.

1	Host nation

To sort this table by nation, total medal count, or any other column, click on the icon next to the column title.

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States a	170	145	110	425
2	Cuba	112	66	60	238
3	Canada	47	61	69	177
4	Argentina 1	40	45	74	159
5	Mexico	23	20	37	80

Note

^ The medal count for the United States is disputed.

Sports

• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Basque pelota
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Canoeing
• Cycling
• Diving
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Gymnastics (artistic)
• Gymnastics (rhythmic)
• Handball
• Judo
• Karate
• Racquetball
• Roller sports (skating)
• Roller sports (hockey)
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Softball
• Squash
• Swimming
• Synchronized swimming
• Table tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water polo
• Water skiing
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

The sports of basque pelota, karate, racquetball, squash, triathlon and water skiing appeared on the schedule for the first time.^[5][6][7]