Sunday, November 26th, 2023.- After the massive attendance at the Pan American Games, there was a question of whether the situation would be repeated at the Parapan American Games. Respecting the difference in scale between the two tournaments, this did indeed happen. People came in large numbers to the various stadiums, sometimes even more than expected, as seen on the first day of wheelchair tennis played in an almost full central court. 

The massive presence of school groups also played a significant role, with entire classes attending the events. Wheelchair rugby, for example, became a great discovery for fans, who continued to attend in large numbers at other events such as swimming and CP football, whose final was played yesterday with nearly 5,000 spectators at the Estadio Bicentenario en La Florida. 

The same happened with athletics, which moved to a smaller venue, the Centro Deportivo Mario Recordón (still within the Estadio Nacional), but always had a lot of people in the stands. 

There were two sports where the audience had to get used to remaining silent: goalball and blind football, where visually impaired athletes needed to hear instructions and the sound of the ball (with bells). However, cheering for goals was allowed. 

A special mention goes to the Brazilian fans who enjoyed all the victories of their representatives. 


Written by Alejandro Pérez; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 via Photosport
Photo by Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 via Photosport