“The 2027 Pan American Games in Barranquilla will not take place”: Neven Ilic

Concerns about the environment remain and uncertainty has held back the city’s progress. Chilean leader Neven Ilic, the current president of Panam Sports, confirmed this Friday that the entity is deeply concerned about the little progress Barranquilla has made in hosting the next 2027 Pan American Games.

The days don’t stop. The hands of the clock have followed their course in such a way that only four years remain for the realization of one of the most important competitions of the continent on our territory. A fact that has not seen much evolution in the capital of the Atlantic because of the differences that arose between the former Minister of Sports, María Isabel Urrutia, and the national and state authorities.

Ilic, the highest authority in this league, referred to the Antena 2 Sports Center program in an interview about the tensions there were with Urrutia and the plan to regain all lost time together with the new portfolio manager, Astrid Rodríguez.

“The issue of the Pan American Games in Barranquilla has not progressed. We didn’t have a clear dialogue with the authorities, so progress with these games has been almost nil,” said Panam Sports president.

“We hope that we can now meet the new minister (Astrid Rodríguez) to sit down and get to work. This is a dream for many athletes and for us it is an honor for what Colombia represents for the sport,” added the Chilean.

Finally, Neven Ilic reiterated his positivity to make up for lost time, reach an agreement with the national government and hold one of the best Pan American Games in history.

Barranquilla will host the 2027 Pan American Games after Cali hosted it in 1971. Since then, no event of this magnitude has been held on the national territory.