1961 Bolivarian Games
# 1961 Bolivarian Games

The IV Bolivarian Games (Spanish: Juegos Bolivarianos) were a multi-sport event held between December 3–16, 1961, at the Estadio Municipal in Barranquilla, Colombia. The Games were organized by the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO). Bolivia was the only eligible country not to send a delegation.

The Games were officially opened by Colombian president Alberto Lleras Camargo. Torch lighter was hurdler Jaime Aparicio. The athlete's oath was sworn by local athlete Rafael Cotes.

A detailed history of the early editions of the Bolivarian Games between 1938 and 1989 was published in a book written (in Spanish) by José Gamarra Zorrilla, former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, and first president (1976-1982) of ODESUR. Gold medal winners from Ecuador were published by the Comité Olímpico Ecuatoriano.

## Participation

Athletes from 5 countries were reported to participate:

* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Panama
* Peru
* Venezuela

## Sports

The following sports were explicitly mentioned:

* Aquatic sports
   * Diving (details)
   * Swimming (details)
* Athletics (details)
* Baseball (details)
* Basketball (details)
* Boxing (details)
* Cycling
   * Road cycling (details)
   * Track cycling (details)
* Fencing (details)
* Football (details)
* Shooting (details)
* Tennis (details)
* Weightlifting (details)
* Wrestling (details)

The list might be incomplete.

## Medal count

The medal count for these Games is tabulated below. This table is sorted by the number of gold medals earned by each country. The number of silver medals is taken into consideration next, and then the number of bronze medals.

1961 Bolivarian Games Medal Count :

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Venezuela | 76 | 37 | 52 | 165 |
| 2 | Colombia | 24 | 68 | 38 | 130 |
| 3 | Panama | 17 | 15 | 36 | 68 |
| 4 | Peru | 16 | 16 | 9 | 41 |
| 5 | Ecuador | 5 | 13 | 9 | 27 |
| Total | Total | 138 | 149 | 144 | 431 |
