 2002 South American Games logo | |
| Host city | Belém, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo |
|---|---|
| Country |  Brazil |
| Nations | 14 |
| Athletes | 2,069 |
| Events | 24 sports |
| Opening | August 1, 2002 |
| Closing | August 11, 2002 |
| Opened by | Almir Gabriel |
| Torch lighter | Dayse Silva |
| Main venue | Estádio do Mangueirão |
The VII South American Games (Spanish: Juegos Sudamericanos; Portuguese: Jogos Sul-Americanos) were a multi-sport event held in 2002 in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Belém; all in Brazil. The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR).[1] [2]
In Belém, the games were officially opened by the governor of the state of Pará, Almir Gabriel. Torch lighter was bowler Dayse Silva.[3][4]
Originally awarded to Córdoba, Argentina, the Games were moved to Bogotá, Colombia, following an economic crisis in Argentina. Later, violence between the Colombian government and guerrillas caused Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Venezuela to threaten to leave the Games, which resulted in the relocation to Brazil. Colombia boycoted the games in a protest of this decision.
- ^ BRAZIL 2002, BRAZIL - VII SOUTH AMERICAN GAMES - Opening date: 01 August 2002 - Closing date: 11 August 2002 (in Spanish), ODESUR, archived from the original on 2014-03-17, retrieved August 25, 2012
- ^ Rodríguez III, Ernesto (2010), LIBROS DEL CICLO OLÍMPICO ARGENTINO - Libro I de los Juegos Odesur 1978-2010 (in Spanish) (1st ed.), Buenos Aires: Alarco Ediciones, p. 192, ISBN 978-987-1367-18-4, archived from the original on 2012-01-04, retrieved June 2, 2012
- ^ Comenzaron los VII Juegos ODESUR (in Spanish), EL DIARIO S.A., La Paz, Bolivia, July 31, 2002, retrieved August 24, 2012
- ^ Los Odesur comenzaron bajo torrencial aguacero (in Spanish), Explored, Quito, Ecuador, August 2, 2002, retrieved August 24, 2012