SANTIAGO, Chile — Another four years of the athletics lifecycle ended. After ten days of blood, sweat and tears, the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile came to a close at Parque Cerrillos.

The Parapan American Games are a unique blend and representation of American culture, as thousands of athletes and coaches converge at a single point to compete in an event bigger than themselves. 

Over 31 countries represented the Parapan American games, and despite being competitors, great displays of friendship and sportsmanship were shown between different countries. 

Many of the athletes who competed early in the games headed home, but there was no difference in the energy from the opening games. The ceremony was filled with talented music artists and dancers such Santaferia Los Ramblers, Gepe and more. 

Fiu, a fan favorite mascot, also got the crowd engaged one last time before “heading off into the woods” to conclude his time being an ambassador of the games. The volunteers for this event were also highlighted, as thousands of local Chileans to people from all across the world helped make this event possible. Of the volunteers, 520 of them were differently-abled.

The Chilean fans, who roared their countries spirit in the closing, were also well represented throughout the tournament and made it clear whose country was hosting. In almost every venue, Chilean fans were the overwhelming majority of the crowd proud of supporting their own.

From Goalball to Wheelchair tennis, Team USA was well represented with 240 athletes competing in various events and medaling in the majority of them. Specifically, four athletes and four team sports also earned direct qualification to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, which highlighted Team USA’s accomplishments. 

The four athletes who earned a gold and qualified for Paris:

• Dana Mathewson —- Wheelchair Tennis
• Ian Seidenfeld —- Table Tennis
• Tahl Leibovitz —- Table Tennis
• Jenson Van Emburgh — Table Tennis

The four teams who earned a gold and qualified for Paris:

• Men’s wheelchair basketball
• Women’s wheelchair basketball
• Men’s goalball
• Wheelchair rugby

Team USA earned a total of 156 medals (55 gold, 58 silver, 53 bronze) and finished in second place overall. Of those medals, 21 of them came from those with military ties. In total, 17 of the military athletes that competed earned a medal for the USA. 

Now, many athletes’ focus will be shifted to Paris. But the lifecycle of the Parapan American Games will restart, as in 2027, Barranquilla, Colombia will be the host for new and returning athletes. 

As the music faded from the speakers and the flame slowly died, the final cheers from the athletes and fans from the closing ceremony echoed competition, camaraderie, defeat, triumph and most importantly, unity —- all of which will leave a legacy far beyond the final applause in Santiago.