Run along similar lines to the Olympic Games but limited to countries from within The Americas and Caribbean, the Pan American Games come to Rio in 2007 with 5,500 athletes from 42 countries competing in 28 sports. Upwards of 500,000 visitors are expected over the 16 days of the Games, and the city intends to use the occasion for maximum tourist as well as sporting promotion. Transport and hotel infrastructure are being improved in the run-up for this major event which has been going since 1951. The Riocentro, the largest exhibition and conference centre in Latin America, will be the nerve centre as well as the venue for some arena sports. The Panamerican Games is always held in the year before the Olympics. And for the first time in 2007, the Parapanamerican Games will take place after the Panamerican Games in August.

Times
TBC.