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.[2]
Program
Vicente Fernández performed the first act, singing the Mexican anthem at the games.[3]Colombian singer Juanes performed as did Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, Vicente’s son, who performed the song "El Mismo Sol" the official theme of the Games at the ceremony.
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.[4]
^ a b cFelipe Calderón estará en la inauguración de JP (in Spanish) Archived January 27, 2013, at archive.today
^Presidente IOC asistirá ceremonia de apertura Pan Am (in Spanish) Archived May 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^Minister of State Gosal Attends 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico
^ a b cPresident Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to Mexico to Attend the Opening Ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games
^ a bPan American Games open to the sound of mariachi Archived October 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
^"Estimated 130 million people will watch inauguration of Pan American games". deportesus.terra.com. June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2011.