City to Mark Pan Am Anniversary

August 2, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS - In 1987, Indianapolis played host to one of the region's greatest sporting moments: the Pan American Games. The games brought together more than 36,000 volunteers and thousands of fans to watch 4,500 athletes from 37 countries compete. In many ways, this event shaped the sports initiative that continues to be so vibrant in central Indiana.

On August 23, Indiana Sports Corporation will commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Pan Am Games with a public celebration on Georgia Street, in front of Pan Am Plaza, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This includes a short program at noon.

The celebration will feature live music from the band The Wright Brothers, who performed on Monument Circle during the Games. Kristie Phillips-Bannister will also take part. Phillips-Bannister was a member of the 1987 Pan American gymnastics gold medal team and was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2006. Members from the Pan American leadership team will also be in attendance. As part of the celebration, merchandise with a special limited edition 25th Pan Am anniversary logo will be available for purchase. Attendees will also be able to pose for photos with a life-size cutout of Amigo, the 1987 Pan American Games mascot. Food trucks will also be lined along Georgia Street for those wishing to purchase lunch.

The 25th anniversary will also be recognized on August 22 at the Indianapolis Indians' baseball game with a pre-game ceremony. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the ceremony beginning tentatively at 6:30 p.m. The Arts Council of Indianapolis is planning an exhibit commemorating the Pan Am Games for mid-August. It will be displayed at The ArtsGarden.

Indiana Sports Corporation is also collecting stories from volunteers who worked the Games. If you have any stories or memories about your experiences from the Games, please share them at IndianaSportsCorp.com. Even if you do not have a story you want to share, please fill out the form, including your volunteer role. Two stories a day will be posted on our website and Indiana Sports Corp's social media outlets (Facebook and @IndSportsCorp on Twitter) through August 23.

"The 1987 Pan Am Games was one of the most memorable events in our community's history," said Susan Williams, Indiana Sports Corp president. "Not only do we want your stories but we want to be able to bring people together to celebrate this summer. Our goal is to find as many of the 36,000 people who served as volunteers as possible."
Indiana Sports Corp thanks our sponsors and partners for this event. Sponsors include Citizens Energy, One America, and Omni Severin Hotel. Event partners include Indiana Humanities, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, The Indianapolis Star and WTHR.

Indiana Sports Corp is the sports champion, stimulating economic growth, inspiring healthy kids and creating vibrant communities throughout Indiana. Indiana Sports Corp was founded in 1979 as the nation's first sports commission. Our recent and upcoming schedule of events includes NCAA Men's and Women's Finals Fours, Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, Big Ten Football Championship Games through 2015, Big Ten Basketball Tournaments and much more. For more information, visit www.IndianaSportsCorp.com.

Source: Indiana Sports Corp.