What Happened
Panama formally opened the IV South American Youth Games on Sunday, bringing more than 2,000 athletes from 15 countries to compete across the country through April 25. President José Raúl Mulino presided over the inauguration at the Rommel Fernández stadium, where the ceremony marked the start of one of the region’s largest youth sporting events.
“Me complace declarar solemnemente inaugurados los IV Juegos Sudamericanos de la Juventud Panamá 2026. ¡Éxitos y bienvenidos a Panamá nuevamente!”, Mulino said during the ceremony.
The opening event also included First Lady Maricel de Mulino, Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac, other government ministers, Pandeportes director Miguel Ordóñez, and Panama Olympic Committee president Damaris Young.
A Ceremony Built Around Sport and Culture
The stadium ceremony featured the parade of national delegations and a strong reception for Panama’s own team of 246 athletes. One of the most symbolic moments came with the lighting of the South American flame, led by Panamanian Olympic figures Alonso Edwards, Christina Jiménez Pitty, Irving Saladino and Atheyna Bylon.
The night also blended sport with entertainment and national identity. The audience saw performances by Farruko and Panamanian artists Osvaldo Ayala, Margarita Henríquez and Doralis Mela, along with appearances by dancers from Talenpro. The games are being held under the slogan “Nuestra Identidad, A Otro Nivel,” and the official mascot is a golden frog named Antón.
How the Event Is Being Organized
Ordóñez said the event was made possible through coordination among more than 33 government institutions, describing the effort as a model for institutional alignment, efficient use of resources and transparent administration. That approach matters because hosting a multi-country sporting event requires synchronized transport, venue management, security and scheduling across multiple sites.
Young thanked the volunteers and praised the athletes for their discipline and effort. She said Panama aims to give competitors not only medals but also lasting memories from their time in the country.
Camilo Pérez López Moreira, president of Odesur, said the Panama edition is making history as the largest youth participation event in the competition’s history, underscoring the scale of the continental gathering.
Where the Competitions Will Take Place
Events will be spread across several venues, including the newly inaugurated Luis Carlos “Matador” Tejada High Performance Center, Ciudad Deportiva Irving Saladino, the Atheyna Bylon Combat Center and Playa Venao. Competition will span 22 disciplines, giving Panama a chance to showcase its sports infrastructure while hosting visiting delegations from across South America.
The medals for the event are also tied to a distinctive design, with gold, silver and bronze medals featuring a butterfly motif. Together, the venue network, the ceremonial program and the large athlete turnout reflect Panama’s effort to position itself as a capable host for major regional competitions.