Pacific Ocean Games

{{For|the games between Oceanian island countries|Pacific Games}}

{{Infobox games

| name = Pacific Ocean Games

| logo =

| caption =

| host_city = Cali, Colombia

| motto =

| nations = 38 (invited)

| athletes = 3000 (invited)

| events = 13

| opening = June 23

| closing = July 3

| opened_by = President Ernesto Samper

| athlete_oath =

| judge_oath =

| torch_lighter =

| stadium = Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero

}}

The Pacific Ocean Games ({{langx|es|Juegos del Océano Pacífico}}) was a multi-sport event between countries of the Pacific Rim. It was held only once, in 1995 from June 23 to July 3 in Cali, Colombia.Bell, Daniel (2003). Encyclopedia of International Games, pp. 291–2. McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. {{ISBN|0-7864-1026-4}}. Some events were also hosted in the Colombian cities of Buenaventura, Armenia, Pereira, Manizales, Popayán.[http://www.occidente.co/mediosiglodehistoria/1995-inauguracion-de-los-juegos-del-oceano-pacifico/ 1995 Inauguración de los Juegos del Océano Pacífico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235249/http://www.occidente.co/mediosiglodehistoria/1995-inauguracion-de-los-juegos-del-oceano-pacifico/ |date=2016-03-03 }} {{in lang|es}}. Diario Occidente. Retrieved on 2015-03-21.

Overview

Led by Jorge Herrera Barona, the head of the Colombian Olympic Committee, the games followed on from the country's hosting of the 1971 Pan American Games and 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games. A total of thirteen sports were contested, with 38 nations and around 3000 athletes making the start lists. The Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali was the main stadium for the event.[http://www.juegosacordcali2015.com/index.php/escenarios/estadio-pascual-guerrero Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero] {{in lang|es}}. Juegos Acord 2015 (2014-11-28). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.

The games were opened by Colombian President Ernesto Samper. The opening ceremony featured Colombian orchestras, a ballet by Sonia Osorio (Leyenda de El Dorado), a fashion show of clothing designed by Carlos Arturo Zapata, and dancing exhibitions to music including currulao and salsa.[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-351081 El programa de la inauguración de los I Juegos del Océano Pacífico se iniciará a las 6:00 de esta tarde y se cumplirá de la siguiente manera: ] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-06-23). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-351081 ASÍ SE INAUGURARÁN LOS I JUEGOS DEL PACÍFICO] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-06-23). Retrieved on 2015-03-21. The inauguration was linked with the hosting of the first Congress of National Olympic Committees of the Pacific Rim (ODECOP).[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-351015 JUEGOS DEL PACÍFICO INGRESAN A LA HISTORIA] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-06-23). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.

This grouping proved short-lived and despite an agreement to host the next Pacific Ocean Games in 1999 in Santiago de Chile,[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-350244 CHILE, LA PRÓXIMA SEDE] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-06-23). Retrieved on 2015-03-21. and a 2001 Games Vancouver, Canada, the games were disbanded. The host nation had hoped the 1995 event would raise its profile in the region and attract tourists, but many of the city's hotels remained relatively unoccupied during the games.[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento-2013/MAM-353061 POCO TURISTA SE DEJÓ ATRAER POR LOS JUEGOS DEL PACÍFICO] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-06-24). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.

The hosts Colombia easily topped the medal table with 72 golds and 212 medals overall – a number that equalled the combined total medals taken by the next three most successful nations: the United States, China and Taiwan. This reflected the lack of high level competitors sent by the other nations invited to Colombia.[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-357224 COLOMBIA, CAMPEÓN DE LOS JUEGOS] {{in lang|es}}. El Tiempo (1995-07-03). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.

It was the first time a games was held for the region, building upon previous individual international sports competitions, such as the track and field-based Pacific Conference Games (1969–1985), the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships (launched 1985) and gymnastics-based Pacific Rim Championships (launched 1988).[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/pcg.htm Pacific Conference Games]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2015-03-21.[http://www.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=36075 Hancock Prospecting Pan Pacific Championships About The Event] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319143742/http://www.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=36075 |date=2015-03-19 }}. Swimming Australia. Retrieved on 2015-03-21.[http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120314/SPORTS/703159987 Q&A: What to expect at gymnastic championships]. Herald (2012-03-14). Retrieved on 2015-03-21.