Pan American Games

Shawn Johnson Wins Pan Am Gold

High School sophomore Shawn Johnson just did something really cool on her summer vacation – she won both All Around and Team Gold at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil – and she still has the opportunity to win more in event finals. USA team mates Rebecca Bross and Ivana Hong helped make it a USA medals sweep earning the silver and bronze medals respectively.

In other Pan Am news, the US, Cuba and Brazil women’s volleyball teams have qualified to the semi final round. Unfortunately the US women’s beach volleyball duo was defeated by the two-time World Champion Brazilian team.

US Women Win Team Gymnastics Gold at Pan Am Games

The US Women’s Gymnastics Team wins team gold at the 2007 Pan Am Games. From left to right, team members are Shawn Johnson, Ivana Hong, Rebecca Bross, Samantha Peszek, Amber Trani, and Nastia Liukin. The Brazilian team took second with Mexico in third.

Other women’s results include:

USA’s Chloe Sutton won the gold medal in the 10k Open Water swim. Brazil’s Poliana Okimoto took silver, and Canada’s Tanya Hunks won bronze.
Canadian Catherine Pendrel won the 2007 Pan American Games first medal in mountain bike. Mary McConneloug (USA) took silver and Laura Morfin (MEX) won bronze.

Pan Am Games Open in Rio

The Pan American Games are being held in Rio this year and opened with a samba and fireworks filled gala! The Pan Am games are held every four years (one year before the Olympics) and feature athletes from 42 countries competing in 41 sports.

The first medals of the games will be given out today in women’s swimming (10 km marathon), tae kwondo, and weightlifting.

Since this blog focuses on sports that girls play, I will be concentrating on the women’s competition results and stories.