Havana, Cuba
August 8 – 18, 1991
The XI Pan American Games opened in Havana’s new Pan American Stadium before a crowd of 35,000. The opening ceremony was an elaborate affair involving nearly 13,000 participants. A total of 4,519 athletes from 39 countries competed in 27 sports. The Pan American Games torch relay began with the ritual lighting of the flame in Cerro de Estrella, Mexico and followed a route around Cuba to the torch’s destination at the stadium. Cuban athletes enjoyed great success in the sports competition, winning 140 gold medals.
Promotional posters depicted the Games’ symbol and mascot. The symbol was designed by Roberto Martinez Diaz, head of the Photographic Design Staff of the Young Communist National Committee. The image combines the letters "J" and "P" (for Juegos Panamericanos) to give a feeling of perpetual movement. It uses Cuba’s national colors: red, white and blue. Artist Omar Hechevarria Silveira, designed Tocopán ,the little bird mascot of the Games. He is a tocororo, the national bird of Cuba. Tocopán’s name combines the first syllables of tocororo and Pan American.
