Pan-American games
Pan-American games,
amateur athletic competition among representatives of countries in the Western Hemisphere. The competition, held every four years, follows the organization and eligibility rules of the Olympic gamesOlympic games,premier athletic meeting of ancient Greece, and, in modern times, series of international sports contests. The Olympics of Ancient Greece
Although records cannot verify games earlier than 776 B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. and is held in the year before the Olympics in different host cities. World War II delayed the first Pan-American games, originally planned for 1942, but not held until 1951. There were 19 events in the 1951 games, but a full schedule of Olympic sports now comprises the program. The United States has usually dominated the events.