After 17 days of exhilarating competition, Team USA athletes closed the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, leading all 41 countries with 286 medals.
Of the 43 sports in which Team USA competed, 403 American medalists graced the podium, winning 124 gold, 75 silver and 87 bronze medals to earn the honour of winningest nation at the Games.
“Today, I stand in awe of the remarkable athletes who represented Team USA at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. Their skill, grace, and unwavering determination were truly inspiring,” said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the hosts, Panam Sports, and the incredible citizens of Chile, who welcomed us with open arms and showed unwavering support throughout the competition.
“The moments of unity and camaraderie were unforgettable, and the joy we all experienced while celebrating achievements with teammates, family, and friends was truly a testament to the power of sport.”
An exciting celebration of sport among the Pan American region, the Santiago Games also provided vital qualification opportunities for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
In all, 12 U.S. athletes and three teams clinched direct qualifications to Paris 2024 next summer in men’s and women’s water polo and artistic swimming duet. Team USA also secured seven Olympic quota spots in archery, equestrian, sailing and shooting.
“My first Pan American Games experience was everything I could have hoped for,” said Team USA boxer and Olympic qualifier Jajaira Gonzalez.
“The volunteers and Chilean people were so helpful and kind, and I felt the love and support from my teammates, coaches and staff every step of the way.
“The positive atmosphere with athletes from other sports really contributed to my mental well-being and helped me enjoy the full experience. Qualifying for the Olympic Games was just the cherry on top. I am so proud to represent Team USA and I’ll cherish these memories forever.”
Serving as first-time hosts of the Pan American Games, Chile partnered with the organizers at Santiago 2023 and Panam Sports to prepare and deliver a safe and vibrant atmosphere for more than 6,800 athletes to come together and compete, demonstrating the unifying power of sport.
“We are thrilled to support and celebrate our athletes’ success at the Pan American Games,” said Finbarr Kirwan, chef de mission of the U.S. delegation at Santiago 2023.
“These Games were a significant milestone for Team USA, providing valuable multi-sport experience for our athletes. We are grateful to the national governing bodies, staff and networks who supported our athletes.
“It takes an enormous effort from a large community to make these moments possible. As these Games come to a close, we want to thank the local organizing committee and the amazing people of Chile for their warm and generous hospitality during these Games.”
Up next, Team USA continues with the Parapan American Games, set for Nov. 17-26 in Chile. The U.S. Parapan American Team will be named later this week, and fans can tune in at Panamsportchannel.org.
Additional coverage of the U.S. Parapan American Team can be found at TeamUSA.com and on Team USA’s social channels featuring the hashtag #Santiago2023.
Lily Zhang, right, embraces teammate Amy Wang of the United States after winning the women’s team table tennis final against Puerto Rico at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Team USA highlights and historical performances from Santiago 2023:
- Of the 403 American athletes going home with medals, 96 won multiple medals including swimmer Jonathan Kulow, whose six podium finishes made him the most decorated U.S. athlete at the Games.
- Twelve Team USA athletes earned direct qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – including five boxers (Josh Edwards, Jajaira Gonzalez, Jahmal Harvey, Jennifer Lozano and Morelle McCane) and four sport climbers (Jesse Grupper, Natalia Grossman, Piper Kelly and Samuel Watson). Additionally, rhythmic gymnast Evita Griskenas solidified her second Olympic berth and Jessica Davis became the first U.S. modern pentathlete to qualify for Paris. With her gold-medal victory in breaking, Sunny Choi became the first U.S. B-girl to qualify for the Olympic Games.
- U.S. team sports put together a strong showing, with Team USA sweeping men’s and women’s events in 3×3 basketball and men’s and women’s water polo, while also adding gold in softball and women’s rugby sevens. Team USA also claimed silver in women’s field hockey and artistic swimming (team and duet) and bronze in women’s soccer.
- Team USA claimed 10 or more medals in nine sports – including archery (10), cycling (10), fencing (11), gymnastics (23), rowing (10), shooting (18), swimming (48), track and field (25), and wrestling (11).
- With 10 medals, U.S. rowers had their best showing at a Pan American Games since 1999.
- Team USA athletes won 14 medals in sports making their Pan American Games debut, including nine in sport climbing, two in skateboarding and three in breaking.
- Team USA extended winning streaks to six straight Pan American gold medals in women’s water polo and in the artistic gymnastics team event.
- Olympic champions Kyle Snyder (freestyle wrestling) and Lee Kiefer (foil fencing) won their third- and fourth-straight Pan American Games gold medals.
- U.S. Opening and Closing Ceremony flag bearers—Vincent Hancock (shooting), Jordan Chiles (artistic gymnastics), Ryan Santos (rugby sevens) and Lily Zhang (table tennis)—won a combined seven medals.
- Team USA’s youngest medalist was 15-year-old Paige Heyn, who snagged bronze in women’s street skateboarding to become the first U.S. skateboarder to earn a Pan American Games medal.
- Artistic gymnast Kayla Dicello became the first U.S. woman to win all-around gold at the Pan American Games since 2011.
- Five sibling pairs won medals including Adam and Erika Manilla, who led Team USA to three medals in racquetball. Other sibling pairs who earned medals include twin sisters Annie and Kerry Xu (badminton, silver), brothers Nandan and Siddhartha Naresh (table tennis, bronze), Chase and Ryder Dodd (water polo, gold), and Dylan and Quinn Woodhead (water polo, gold).
- In squash, Team USA made Pan American Games history as the first country to sweep the podium in women’s singles competition.
- Sakura Kokumai became the first karateka in Pan American Games history to win back-to-back gold.
Credit: US Olympic & Paralympic Committee
You must be logged in to post a comment.