July 12, 2015
Nelson Pérez
On the second day of the Pan American Games, I found myself in Ajax, Ontario, where I had the opportunity to watch the baseball game Cuba vs. the United States. The country of the stars and stripes took the victory 5-2, but the best of the game was to see the stands full of people, Latinos and Cubans, supporting their national team.
Many Latin-Canadians live these games differently. As I was talking to a colleague in the press room, it occurred to me that for Canadians these games do not have the same meaning they have for Latinos. Now, Canada has the responsibility to win the competition for being both the host and for also being the country with the highest number of athletes.
On Sunday, to start the day, the Cuban team won the gold medal in canoeing and got another gold and two bronzes in judo.
It was a successful day for Colombians, who won gold medals in weightlifting, in three categories: men 69kg, women 53kg and women 58kg. They also added to their list, a silver in dives, a bronze in figure skating and a gold and a silver in speed skating.
Mexico was active too, taking a gold in triathlon with Crisanto Grajales. It also completed the podium with another Mexican. Mexico won a silver medal in pistol shooting and two bronzes in squash in men’s and women’s singles.
Venezuela got two silver medals in weightlifting, both in the women’s category, while Argentina won a bronze in canoeing, a silver in mountain cycling, a bronze in 66kg male judo and sealed the day with a gold medal in figure skating thanks to Giselle Soler.