The 97,000-seater Maracana Stadium manifested the closing ceremony of the XV 2007 Pan American Games scheduled from July 13 to July 29, venued in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gymnast, Alexandra Orlando Canada’s leading star with three gold medals, carried the Maple Leaf at the passing parade amidst thousands of fans commemorating, despite temperatures posing sever chill and dampness.
The splendid finale set a blazing record in terms of mammoth 5,500 athletes participating from 42 different countries with 38 sports involved.
The Canadian atheletes proving their mettle on the decisive day bagged two medals taking the overall tally to 137-medals. With 39 gold, 43 silver and 55 bronze the team cited third in overall medal standings and fourth in the maximum number of gold medals won. The Canadians even surpassed their previous record of winning 128 medals in the same event, late back in the year 2003.
In the words of Canada’s chef de mission, Tricia Smith:
We’ve had some terrific performances at these Games and we’re proud of all the Canadian athletes who competed here. We had medals in a wide variety of sports and certainly felt we created an environment for success at these Games that we want to duplicate in Beijing.
The Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereira, who won six gold medals to break the 40-year record held by American great Mark Spitz created the leading milestone in the present games.
The host country, Brazil also laid a mark by conquering the third spot with 161 medals to thir name. Meanwhile, United States topped the podium with 237 medals and Cuba finishing second with 135 medals.
Via: cbc
