Asuncion will host the Pan American Games for the first time in 2031

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITE FROM PANAM SPORTS PRESIDENT/ SCREENSHOT OF POST ON X FROM PARAGUAYAN PRESIDENT, SANTIAGO PENA COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW STORY: Asuncion will host the Pan American Games for the first time in 2031, the Panam Sports organization decided on Friday in a vote that included the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.. Paraguay's capital had lost the previous bid to Lima, which will host the Games in 2027. Asunción hosted the Junior Pan American Games this year. "For the first time in our history we will organize this continental event, putting Paraguay at the center of world sport," Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said on X after the decision was announced. Paraguay's initial budget for the 2031 Games is more than $350 million. That amount does not include the new athletes' village, which is part of a government housing initiative designed for long-term use and will be built through a public–private partnership. (Production: Rodrigo Gutierrez, Anna Portella)

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