Indianapolis, USA
August 8 - 23, 1987
The Pan American Games came to the United States for the second time. The opening ceremony was held at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Games continued to grow as 4,453 athletes from 38 countries participated. More than 2,000 members of the media covered the Games. In track and field, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, of the United States, equaled the world record in the long jump.
The most distinctive graphic element of the X Pan American Games was the ubiquitous official symbol. The"X" logo was designed by J. Michael Hayes of JMH Corporation, Indianapolis. The company also created the sport pictograms. The symbol shows a repeating Roman numeral ten in an overlapping suggestion of depth through lines of varying weights. The symbol suggests motion, calisthenics and unity. The five colors (blue, purple, red, orange and yellow) move from cool to warm to suggest a dynamic, festive atmosphere.
The official poster of the X Pan American Games, entitled "The Celebration of Flags," was designed by artist Nancy A. Noël to represent the festive coming together of the 38 Pan American nations. Colorado-based artist David Brownstead created a limited edition commemorative poster of the Games, entitled "The Flair." The piece stylizes the grace and agility of the athletes competing in the Games. Both posters were published by the Distinctive Image, Inc. and printed by Frederick Printing of Aurora, Colorado.