2011 Pan American Games opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 2011 Pan American Games took place on October 14, 2011, beginning at 20:00 CDT (1:00 UTC, October 15) at Omnilife Stadium in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The opening ceremony was directed and produced by Five Currents, which also produced the ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 2007 Pan American Games.

Production
The opening ceremony was originally scheduled to be held at Jalisco Stadium. However, the organizing committee for the Games (COPAG) changed the venue to Omnilife Stadium, because of its superior infrastructure and technological capability to host the event. Also, its proximity to the athletes village helped expedite the transportation of athletes and helped ensure their safety.

Program
Colombia singer Juanes performed as is Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández who performed the song "El Mismo Sol" the official theme of the Games at the ceremony. His father Vicente Fernández performed the Mexican anthem at the games.

Parade of the Nations 

The participating countries marched in, beginning with Argentina and ending with the host nation, Mexico. Excluding Argentina and Mexico, the delegations entered by Spanish alphabetical order as per Pan American Sports Organization protocols, which also happened to be the official languages of the host nation.

Dignitaries and other officials in attendance

 Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico
 Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee
 Mario Vázquez Raña, President of the Pan American Sports Organization and Association of National Olympic Committees
 Emilio González Márquez, Governor of Jalisco
 Bal Gosal, Canadian Minister of Sport
 Andrade Garin, Head of the Guadalajara 2011 Organizing committee for the 2011 Pan and Parapan American Games (COPAG)
 Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval, Mayor of Guadalajara
 Earl Anthony Wayne, United States Ambassador to Mexico
 Julie Ertel, former water polo and triathlon athlete (United States)
 Allyson Felix, track and field athlete (United States)
 Julio Maglione, member of the IOC representing Uruguay and the president of FINA
 Rafael Márquez, Mexican footballer
 Julio César Chávez, Mexican boxer

Reception
An estimated 130 million people across the Americas and the world were expected to watch the opening ceremony.

See also
 2011 Pan American Games closing ceremony

References

Opening Ceremony
Category:Pan American Games opening ceremonies
Category:Ceremonies in Mexico