Ultimatum from Panam Sports to Barranquilla for the 2027 Pan American Games

The 2027 Barranquilla Pan American Games are in turmoil. After several days of absolute silence, the ultimatum letter sent to the Atlantic capital by Panam Sports, the entity that manages these jousts, was leaked on Thursday because of the “serious breaches” the city has in organizing this competition.

In the letter, addressed to Mayor of Barranquilla, Jaime Pumarejo, and to the president of Colombian Olympic Committee (COC)Ciro Solano, the Pan American Sports Organization, has issued a strong warning to the District and COC, announcing that they have up to 60 days to resolve all issues.

“This letter is official notice, pursuant to Section 76 of the Contract with the Host City, regarding the Serious Infringements listed below, which must be fully complied with within sixty (60) days from the date of this notice. In the event of non-fulfillment of the aforementioned contract, Panam Sports shall, without prior notice, terminate the contract with the host city and the organization of the Pan American Games Barranquilla 2027”, reads at the beginning of the letter.

“For clarification, the deadline by which the breaches below must be fully complied with is no later than October 29, 2023, which is within 60 days from today’s date (Thursday),” it added.

One of the things that the city has not fulfilled so far, according to what Panam Sports revealed, is an $8 million debt that the Atlantic capital had to pay to this entity. Four would be canceled in July 2022, during Iván Duque’s presidential term, and the remaining four in July this year, with Gustavo Petro as president. However, this did not happen. Neither government has transferred the agreed money.

Read also: We hope the government honors the contract: Pumarejo at Pan American Games

In addition, Panam Sports stated: “A budget for the Games must be submitted for approval, specifying sources of funding, as stipulated in section 17 of the contract with the host city (required no later than 1 year after the execution of the contract with the host city) . the host city).

On the other hand, the sports organization, headquartered in Miami, ensures that an “insurance policy or bond guarantee in favor of Panam Sports in the amount of $50 million is also required as required by Section 34 of the contract with the host city (required no later than January 31, 2023)”.

This notice, a copy of which was sent to the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro; the Minister of Sports, Astrid Rodríguez; and the Governor of the Atlantic, Elsa Noguera; there has not yet been a public statement from the mayor of Barranquilla, Jaime Pumarejo, and the president of the Colombian Olympic Committee, Ciro Solano.

Source: El heraldo

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