The 2024 Paris Olympics are nearing the edge with each passing day and the ticking clock is the only sight for the athletes looking for participation. Helping these athletes with a push, the Pan American Games are all set to make an appearance. This inter-continental event, comprising multiple sports, features thousands of the best athletes every four years. The competition is held among athletes from nations of the Americas, with the major purpose of providing qualifications for the Olympics.

This year, 41 nations will gather on the esteemed stage to achieve their dreams of standing on an even larger platform. The awaited event will mark its beginning on the 20th of October overtaking Santiago, Chiles until the 5th of November. The Pan American Games will embrace sports from aquatics to skateboarding to gymnastics and 43 others. As the games will soon take center stage, here are a few big names to keep an eye out for; as posted by Olympics.com.

Jordan Chiles – artistic gymnastics for the Pan American Games

The name of Jordan Chiles is a lingering one amongst the US Gymnastics team. The 22-year-old has made 11 consecutive team appearances but will be heading for her first-ever Pan American Games. Jordan after a minor break, made a stellar comeback at the Worlds Team selection event. The gymnast put up a score of 53.650 which gave her a heads-up toward the Pan Am Games.

Throughout her career, Jordan has won the team gold at the 2022 Worlds but had reached the pinnacle a year early. Chiles showcased her girth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as she stepped up for Simone Biles on short notice. The youngster contributed to the team at the Olympics to win a team silver.

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Though Jordan missed out on the 2023 World Championship, she has made her way to lead the team at Pan American. With her experience, Jordan will steer with Zoe Miller, Tiana Sumanasekera, Kayla DiCello, and Kaliya Lincoln. If the 22-year-old leads the team for a old, the US will earn their 6th consecutive Pan American title. According to recently revealed news, Jordan will be the flag bearer for Team USA at the Games.

Rebeca Andrade – artistic gymnastics

The Brazilian Gymnast is probably one of the most searched names in the gymnastics field after her stellar performance at the 2023 Worlds. The 24-year-old stood to be decorated with 5 medals at the contest; with 3 silvers, a bronze, and a gold. The last of which was secured after defeating Simone Biles on Vault with combined scores of 15.000 and 14.750. In 2022, Rebeca rose to the top of the pedestal as she embraced the all-around champion title; becoming the first Brazilian woman to win a gold at the Worlds. This year, Andrade trailed right along as she stood behind Simone with 56.766.

The 2023 Pan American Games will be a stronger chance for Rebecca to tear through to the gold. Besides working a step over her Worlds performance, this will be Rebecca’s comeback at the event after missing in 2019; for having suffered a tear in her anterior cruciate knee ligament for a third time.

Rebecca’s primary goals will be to ace the all-around and the vault. Both the categories’ titles are currently owned by Canada’s Ellie Black. Rebecca, alongside leading her team will also aim for individual goals.

Richard Carapaz – road cycling

Richard Antonio Carapaz, the 30-year-old Ecuador cyclist has shined the country’s name with his performances. The road racing cyclist won the 2019 Giro d’Italia; becoming the first in the country to win the race. His next greatest feat arrived when he participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Ecuadorian not only won gold but also reigned as the first one in the country to do so.

The cyclist who became the first to stand atop the Olympic podium with a finish in each of the three Grand Tours will look to conquer the title yet again. Richard, along with other cyclists will have to cover the 17.5 km, nine-lap circuit against odds to emerge victorious in his Pan American Games debut.

Mijain Lopez for Greco-Roman wrestling

Mijain Lopez is no stranger to the grounds of major competitions; neither the Olympics nor the Pan American. The 41-year-old with his mouth-gapping victories has grown to be known as the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of all time. Mijain is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time Pan American Games champion. Going for a win at the PanAM, Lopez will earn his sixth consecutive title in the super-heavyweight category.

Starting in 2008, Mijain hasn’t taken a step back throughout his career. The wrestler has even secured a 5-time World Champion title and reigns heavily favored in the coming event. However, to the disappointment of the fans, Lopez has revealed that this year will be his final PanAm appearance. Nonetheless, the fans await one final chance to marvel at the Cuban wrestler’s performance.

Rayssa Leal – street skateboarding

Street Skateboarding will be making its presence at the Pan American Games for the first time and will bring along an Interesting name; Jhulia Rayssa Mendes Leal. Rayssa, as a 13-year-old won a silver at the Tokyo Olympics, capturing the spectators with her performance. The youngster next captivated the world as she won the world championships in 2022 at Rio de Janeiro and currently reigns as the World Champion.

Rayssa also marked her presence as she recorded the highest score in women’s SLS history with an 8.5 rating in 2021. However, the now 15-year-old faced a wrist injury that pushed her to a second spot at Sydney earlier this month. But the youngster will hope to rise strong as she stands to face Pamela Rosa and American Paige Heyn as main challengers.

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The mentioned names constitute only a small part of the notable names to appear at the Pan American Games. The event of over two weeks will have more names to add to the list and more history to add to the books.

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