Saturday 4th November 2023.- The sixteenth day of official competitions at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games was highlighted by the conclusion of athletics, a sport in which the United States led the medal count with eight gold medals, five silver, and twelve bronze.

In the closing day of athletics, the American team celebrated three Pan American titles: Pole Vault, Matthew Ludwig (5.55 meters); High Jump, Rachel McCoy (1.87 meters); Javelin Throw, Curtis Thompson (79.65 meters); bringing their total gold medals to eight, one more than Cuba and Brazil, which each secured seven gold medals.

The other five gold medals for the United States at Santiago 2023 athletics were earned by Isai Rodríguez in the 10,000 meters, Kasey Knevelbaard in the 5,000 meters, Deana Price in the hammer throw, Erin Marsh in the heptathlon, and Bridget Williams in the pole vault.

Another highlight of the final day of athletics was the breaking of two Pan American records in men's hammer throw and women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Canadian athlete Ethan Katzberg set a new record in the male's hammer throw with a throw of 80.96 meters, surpassing the previous mark held by American Johnson Kibwe (79.63 meters) since Guadalajara 2011. Argentinian Belén Casetta established a new record in the female's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9'39''47, surpassing the previous record held by Canadian Geneviève Lynn Lalonde (9'41''45) since Lima 2019.

One day before the closing ceremony, speed skating began, with Colombia winning three gold medals (Geini Pájaro in the women's 200-meter sprint, Gabriela Rueda in the 1,000-meter sprint, and Juan Mantilla in the same event). Chile, with Emanuelle Silva in the men's 200-meter sprint, also claimed a gold medal.

In other sports that awarded medals in the male's category, Argentina was crowned champion in basketball, while Brazil secured gold in volleyball and football.

With one day remaining at Santiago 2023, the United States tops the medal count with 272 medals, including 116 gold, 74 silver, and 82 bronze. Brazil is in second place with 199 medals (63 gold, 71 silver, 65 bronze), followed by Mexico with 131 medals (48 gold, 33 silver, 50 bronze), Canada with 160 medals (46 gold, 52 silver, 62 bronze), and Cuba with 68 medals (30 gold, 21 silver, 17 bronze). Chile has fallen to the eighth position, being surpassed by Argentina, with a total of 69 medals, including 12 gold, 27 silver, and 30 bronze.

Written by Marcelo López; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Daniel Apuy/Santiago 2023 / Photosport