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Pan Am Games notebook

Organizer says Games need to be shortened

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Posted: Friday August 06, 1999 06:46 PM

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- The Pan American Games need to be shortened. That's the view of the president of the 1999 Games, who says he will suggest some changes at a debriefing session next month in Mexico City.

"I'm going to recommend that the size of the games be reduced from 42 sports to 28 or 30," Don MacKenzie said.

"There are way, way too many sports and way too many athletes. We reduced the events from 435 in Mar del Plata to 330 here. But the games should still be smaller.

"What we need to do is look at the Olympic program, eliminate the sports that aren't inherent to this hemisphere and with every one we remove, add a sport that people participate in the West. That will make the games shorter, more manageable and more affordable."

These Pan Am Games have been hailed as well-organized, even as the 18-day event seems to drag into the final weekend.

"I'll admit that a couple of days ago, I was dragging," MacKenzie said.

"But that's my fault. Sure, these games could have been finished today or tomorrow," MacKenzie said. "But I'm the one who wanted them spread over three weekends."

The 2003 games are slated for Santo Domingo, Dominican Rebublic.

USOC executive director Richard Schultz said he's heard people talking about shortening the games, but does not support eliminating sports.

"We have a number of sports that are Pan Am only sports that would be really hurt by that, so we would hope that would not take place," he said.

"But I do realize for the sake of the city, there has to be some control over the growth. What that would be I don't know.'

Son honored

Mexican equestrian Gerardo Tazzer is competing at the Pan American Games with a heavy heart. A month ago, his 12-year-old son was killed in a show jumping competition at Quebec City when the boy fell off his horse and the horse landed on top of him.

The 47-year-old Tazzer told colleagues he was competing in Winnipeg as a tribute to his son.

"He said his son loved riding, that riding is his family's life and if anything, [the boy] would want him to compete," a colleague said.

Ring giant

He comes at opponents like a crazed defensive end in football. Cuban super heavyweight boxer Alexis Rubalcaba has been a monster in his first three bouts.

All three of the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Rubalcaba's fights have been stopped as he beat his opponents either bloody or silly. His opponent in the gold medal match is American Davin King, who is 6-0 and weights 208.

"I need a strategy," King said.

Canadian Patrice L'Heureux is no midget himself. He stands 6-5 and weighs 252 pounds and had his nose bloodied and his eye blackened in his fight with Rubalcaba.

"You need to adjust your style, because he's like an animal in the ring," L'Heureux said.

"He's vicious," Canadian coach Matt Mizerski said. "A killer. He wants to kill everybody."

Woof, woof

It's hard to miss the Goodyear blimp as it passes over the different venues of the Pan Am Games. Even canines are taking notice and voicing their displeasure.

Dog owners throughout Winnipeg have reported barking fits from their best friends as the blimp makes it way around the city. It's not a new phenomenon.

"Everywhere we go, dogs are just as curious as the people to look up and see what it is," said Eddie Ogden, a spokesman for Goodyear.

"Winnipeg dogs just aren't used to it, so maybe they feel the need to bark."

 

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