WHAT ARE PAN AMERICAN GAMES?
• The Pan American Games or colloquially known as the Pan Games, is a multi-sport event that features athletes from the American continent.
• 41 nations that are part of the Pan American Sports Organization participate in the tournament that is authorised by the International Olympic Committee.
• The Pan Am Games are held every four years.
• The first ever Pan American Games was held in Buenos Aires in 1951.
The two-week Pan American Games kicked off in Lima, Peru on Monday, July 29.
Table-leaders, Peru are enjoying their best-ever outing in the two-week long showpiece event, but Reuters has reported that there are glitches at the event.
Early glitches are expected at every multi-sport event from the Olympics to the Asian Games but the Lima organising committee has faced mounting problems, particularly from a creaky transport setup.
The glow from a spectacular opening ceremony and a dream start that included two marathon golds on the first day of competition have begun to fade as the realities of staging the largest ever sporting event in Peru hit home.
Lima organisers quickly corrected issues with the results management system but transport remains a headache.
Despite the hassles, athletes from across the American continent continue to stay focussed, showing up as they vie for the medals and glory. Along the way, they give us some moments that are captured for posterity. Here are some eye-catching scenes from the Pan Am Games...
IMAGE: Cuba's Schakira Robert and USA's Zoe Lombard vie for possession during their women's handball bronze medal match at Villa Deportiva Nacional on July 30. Photograph: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
IMAGE: Mexican gymnasts in action during the Rhythmic Gymnastics, 5 balls final in Polideportivo Villa El Salvador on August 4. Photograph: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
IMAGE: Venezuela's Ruben Limardo and compatriot Jesus Limardo in action during the Men's Epee individual gold medal fencing bout at Lima Conventions Center. Photograph: Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
IMAGE: Cuba's Andy Cruz (right) lands a punch on Dominican Republic's Hendri Cedeno Martinez during their men's light welter weight 64kg quarter-final boxing bout at Miguel Grau stadium on July 29. Photograph: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
IMAGE: Mark Burik of the US poses for a seflie with fans after the beach volleyball men's quarter-final against Canada at Estadio Voleibol de Playa on July 27. Photograph: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
IMAGE: Chile's Fernanda Aguirre competes with Panama's Carolena Carstens during their taekwondo women's Under 57kg bronze medal match at Callao Sports Center on July 28. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters
IMAGE: Brazil's Ruy Leme Da Fonseca Filho riding Ballypatrick SRS falls after a jump during the Eventing Individual, Cross Country at Army Equestrian School on August 3. Photograph: Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
IMAGE: Brazil's Andreia Aparecida Hessel reacts after crossing the finish line after the women's marathon at Kennedy Park on July 27. Photograph: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
IMAGE: A weightlifter dusts the chalk off her hands during the Women's 64kg Weightlifting tournament in Coliseo Mariscal Caceres on July 29. Photograph: Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
IMAGE: Performers dance during the Pan American Games opening ceremony at Estadio Nacional on July 26. Photograph: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
IMAGE: Mexico's Sandra S. Mayor Gutierrez is dejection after their First Round Group A football match against Colombia at San Marcos Stadium on August 3. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters
IMAGE: United States's Sarah Robles reacts after a lift during the women's +87kg Group A weightlifting competition at Coliseo Mariscal Caceres on July 30. Photograph: Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
IMAGE: Canada's Myriam Da Silva reacts to winning silver in the women's Welter 64-69kg boxing final on August 1. Photograph: Ivan Alvarado /Reuters
IMAGE: Guatemala's Jorge Vega in action during the artistic gymnastics men's vault final at the Polideportivo Villa El Salvador on July 31. Photograph: Susana Vera/Twitter
IMAGE: Chile's Isidora Letelier Martinez and Natalie Lubascher Mena in action during the artistic swimming duet free routine finals at Aquatic Center on July 31. Photograph: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
IMAGE: USA's Harley Wheeler is tackled by Brazil's Stefano Giantorno during the rugby sevens men's bronze medal match at Campo de Rugby on July 28. Photograph: Sergio Moraes/Reuters