Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1964 The iH story of the Pan American Games. Curtis Ray Emery Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Emery, Curtis Ray, "The iH story of the Pan American Games." (1964). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 977. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/977 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This dissertation has been 65—3376 microfilmed exactly as received EMERY, Curtis Ray, 1917- THE HISTORY OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES. Louisiana State University, Ed.D., 1964 Education, physical University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan THE HISTORY OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education m The Department of Health, Physical, and Recreation Education by Curtis Ray Emery B. S. , Kansas State Teachers College, 1947 M. S ., Louisiana State University, 1948 M. Ed. , University of Arkansas, 1962 August, 1964 PLEASE NOTE: Illustrations are not original copy. These pages tend to "curl". Filmed in the best possible way. UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS, INC. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study could not have been completed without the close co­ operation and assistance of many individuals who gave freely of their time. Foremost among these persons are: Dr. Joy W. Kistler, my major professor at Louisiana State University, whose wise counsel and personal guidance aided me throughout the selection, preparation, and completion of this study; Mr. J. Lyman Bingham, Executive Director of the United States Olympic Association, at Olympic Headquarters in New York City, who made available m aterials and literature which augmented the research on the Pan American Games; Hugo Penagos of Guatemala, who translated the questionnaires and letters necessary for the acquisition of information not available in published form; and Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas and his assistant, Joe Fleming, who coordinated this correspondence through the ambassadors in various countries of the Western Hemisphere. Special thanks go to Gloria Emery, whose continual encouragement provided invaluable inspiration throughout the preparation of this study. Baton Rouge, Louisiana J u ly , 1964 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................... ii LIST OF PICTURES ....................................................................................... viii ABSTRACT............................................................................................................ ix PA RT I ORIGIN AND ORGANIZATION OF PAN AMERICAN GAMES CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1 Purpose of the Study .................................................... 3 Sources of D ata.............................................................. 4 Delimitations .of the Study......................................... 5 H. EVENTS LEADING TO THE FORMATION OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES ..................................... 7 Origin of G am es............................................................ 7 Reasons for Initiating the E vent............................ 8 First Pan American Meeting Called ..... 12 HI. SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONS ALLIED WITH THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES ..................................... 19 International Olympic "Committee......................... 20 The International Sports Federations.................. 21 The National Olympic Committee ...... 24 CHAPTER PAGE IV. THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES ........................................ 28 T he P a n A m e ric a n S p o rts O rg a n iz a tio n ............. 28 The Organizing Committee...................................... 30 Entrance Requirements ............................................. 34 Pan American Rule Defining an ''Amateur1'. 34 Time of Year When Games are H eld .................. 36 Events on the Program.............................................. 37 A w a r d s ............................................................................... 40 Special Ceremonies in the Pan American Games . 41 PA RT H ADMINISTRATION OF THE PAN AMERICAN PROGRAM V. THE 1951 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: A SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION AT BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA . 48 Doubt and Difficulties Encountered ..................... 48 Preliminary Arrangements Concluded .............. 49 Opening Day Festivities ............................................ 51 Games Underway .......................................................... 57 Incidents of N ote........................................................... 69 Conclusion of G am es.................................................. 72 CHAPTER PAGE VI. THE 1955 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: A MODEL FOR FUTURE FESTIVALS - MEXICO CITY, MEXICO . 75 Opening Cerem onies............................................................ 77 Effects of Altitude on A thletes....................................... 78 The Games of 1955 ............................................................... 80 World Marks Established .................................................. 84 United States Dominates Gymnastic Competition . 85 New Sport in G am es............................................................ 88 The Equestrian Incident .................................................... 91 Modern Shooting Range Provided for Games .... 94 Games Concluded ...................................................................... 100 VII. THE 1959 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ............................. 101 The Struggle for Existence................................................... 104 Special Session of the PASO C ongress........................... 107 Chicago Prepares for the Gam es...................................... 108 Games Opened ........................................................................ 110 Athletes in A ction...................................................................... I l l The Great Triple Jum per ...................................................... 115 Highlights of Competition in Cycling................................ 119 High School Girl Wins Five Gold M edals....................... 123 v CHAPTER PAGE Incidents of N ote................................................................... 129 Games Concluded .................................................................. 135 VIII. THE 1963 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: FUTURE GAMES ASSURED - SAO PAULO, BRAZIL .................. 139 Pre-Games Preparation.................................................... 140 Fourth Games Open.............................................................. 146 The Cuban Amateur Incident ............................................ 148 Contestants Set New R ecords.......................................... 150 Many Nations Share Accomplishments...................... 160 Attendance at Games Highest of A ll ............................ 164 The Sao Paulo Games E nd ................................................ 165 PA RT HI SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS IX. SUMMARY ...................................................... 167 X. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................... 177 Conclusions................................................................................. 178 Recommendations............................................... 180 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 184 APPENDICES ...................................................................................................... 187 APPENDIX A - LETTERS ............................................................... 187 v i CHAPTER PAGE APPENDIX B -l - OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE FIRST PAN AMERICAN GAMES, BUENOS AIRES .... 211 APPENDIX B-2 - OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE SECOND PAN AMERICAN GAMES, MEXICO CITY .... 222 APPENDIX B-3 - OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE THIRD PAN AMERICAN GAMES, CHICAGO .......................233 APPENDIX B-4 - OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE FOURTH PAN AMERICAN GAMES, SAO PAULO . 247 APPENDIX B -5 - PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONS .... 258 APPENDIX C - ROSTER OF INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS ......................................................................273 APPENDIX D - LIST OF CELEBRATIONS AND PRESIDENTS ......................................................................... 274 VITA ....................................................................................................................... 275 LIST OF PICTURES T IT L E PAGE I. INAUGURATION OF PAN AMERICAN GAMES IN 1951 47 H. OFFICIAL TORCH OF 1955 GAMES IN MEXICO CITY 74 HI. OPENING CEREMONY SCENE FROM 1959 CELEBRATION ................................... 101 IV. THE 1963 GAMES OPEN IN SAO PAULO............ 138 v iii ABSTRACT The Problem The purpose of this study was to produce an accurate and factual account of the origin and development of the Pan American Games. It was the intent of this study to collect, organize, and systematically compile the results of competition, sport by