Santa Fe 2026: South American Games open with record delegations

The XIII South American Games Santa Fe 2026 officially opened on Saturday, September 12, with a ceremony at the Monumento a la Bandera in Rosario, Argentina, featuring music, dance, and the parade of 15 nations Source: Clarín. Over 4,000 athletes will compete across 43 sports and 60 disciplines through September 26 in Rosario, Santa Fe, and Rafaela Source: Infobae.

Delegations and flag bearers

Argentina fields the largest delegation with 658 athletes (346 men, 312 women), aiming for the top of the medal table Source: Infobae. Flag bearers are canoeist Rubén Voisard Rézola and hockey star Sofía Cairó Source: Clarín. Colombia sends 415 athletes, led by Olympic champion Mariana Pajón, with a goal of finishing second behind powerhouse Brazil Source: El Colombiano. Chile brings 535 athletes, with flag bearers Emanuelle Silva (speed skating) and Manuela Urroz (field hockey) Source: Emol. Venezuela has 414 athletes, with shooters Douglas Gómez and Sabrina Baumgartner as flag bearers; star triple jumper Yulimar Rojas is absent Source: El Nacional.

Key venues and innovations

Rosario hosts over 30 disciplines, including a new Aquatic Center and the Invencible Arena for gymnastics Source: Clarín. For the first time, esports are part of the official program, featuring Valorant, EA SPORTS FC, and Assetto Corsa Competizione Source: La Voz. The mascot is "Capi," a capybara representing local identity Source: Clarín.

Notable absences and expectations

Argentine swimmer Agostina Hein, a world junior champion, will miss the Games after emergency appendicitis surgery Source: Infobae. Colombia's Ciro Solano stated, "the objective is to be second" in the medal standings Source: El Colombiano. All sporting events are free to the public, with a symbolic ticket fee donated to charity Source: Infobae.