NEVEN ILIC : “ASU2025 WERE FANTASTIC GAMES”
Seventy-two hours after the official closing of the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, the President of Panam Sports gave a brief review of what was the most important multi-sports event for youth on the continent.
Ninety-five Junior Pan American Games records and a world record, and 242 qualifications for Lima 2027 were some of the statistics from this youth celebration.
Santiago, August 27, 2025. – “Panam Sports is on the right path.” This was the first line of President Neven Ilic’s statement regarding the review of the recently concluded II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025. From this statement, we can interpret that the second edition of these Games for the development of continental sport has taken roots, exceeding all expectations with great acclaim. The vision and the path are clear.
ASU2025 demonstrated to the entire world the definitive consolidation of this event with more than 4,100 athletes participating and significant growth among the medal-winning countries at these Games. At Cali 2021, 31 nations earned medals, while in the Paraguayan capital, 33 countries stood on the podium.
A total of 95 new junior Pan American records were set, including a world record by Charlotte Simoneau (Canada) in the 80 kg weightlifting category, with 110 kg in the snatch and 130 kg in the clean and jerk (a junior world record), for a total of 240 kg.
If we add to that the thousands of spectators who attended the competitions and the millions of television viewers around the world who watched these Games through Panam Sports Channel and the 33 right holders, we can conclude that this type of Pan American competition for young people between 15 and 23 years of age is the right path to better and greater sports development for the Americas.
“This is a great opportunity for young athletes from our continent to develop, to gain international exposure, and for both their National Olympic Committees and governments to recognize and support them from now on. This is a new generation of athletes that we cannot leave alone,” said President Neven Ilic.
Referring to ASU2025, Ilic was emphatic in stating that “the Games were fantastic. We saw more than 4,000 top-level athletes, all with impressive athletic ability, which assures us that if we continue working with them in each of our countries, they will have a great generation in the future. Panam Sports’ project is to continue supporting these young people so that, through training camps and competitions, they can secure their path to Lima 2027 and, why not, their path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”
He expressed his recognition and admiration for the wonderful work done by the Organizing Committee, led by the President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, Camilo Pérez López Moreira, in holding an event of historic significance for Paraguay, showcasing the South American country’s capabilities in organizing world-class sporting events.
“After the first edition in Cali 2021, ASU2025 has exceeded all expectations, with the acceptance and enthusiasm of all the National Olympic Committees in the region, the Pan American Confederations, athletes, the media, and all of Paraguayan society, who enthusiastically attended the competitions,” Ilic added.
The event was attended by 41 countries from the continent, all members of the Pan American Sports Organization. A total of 1,086 medals were awarded: 338 gold, 334 silver, and 414 bronze.
In addition to the medals, the gold medal winners and some champions team sports earned direct qualification spots for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games. A total of 228 individual and 14 team qualifying spots were awarded.
“We are leaving happy, with the peace of mind of having organized a tremendous sporting event. Thanks a lot to the Organizing Committee and its entire staff; to the Government of Paraguay and its president, Santiago Peña; to the more than 3,500 volunteers; to the media; to my entire team at Panam Sports; to the athletes and coaches; to the Olympic Committees; and finally, to everyone who made this spectacular multi-sports event possible on the continent,” Ilic concluded.
