The first Junior Pan-American Games, scheduled to take place between November 23 and December 5, 2021 in Cali, Colombia, will be allowed to have spectators, organisers Pam Am Sports have said.

However, venues will only be allowed to be at 50 per cent capacity for events but it will be the first multi-sport event this year to have live fans.

“We have decided together with the Colombian authorities to allow 50 per cent capacity in the sports venues. However, those who enter must comply with a series of biosecurity measures such as vaccination certificates, mandatory use of face masks, social distancing and hand washing, among other things,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda, who is in Colombia with a team of officials from Panam Sports Organization (PASO) for site inspection, explained the rationale behind the decision.

“We, the Coordination Commission of Panam Sports, are monitoring closely, events to ensure that COVID protocols are well in place and will be robustly applied,” Samuda said.

“Thus far, there have been no major concerns and the Local Organizing Committee is working assiduously to ensure that a safe system is in place for the athletes, coaches, support staff, officials and spectators.

“Critical lessons from Tokyo, in terms of health care and management, have been noted and though there will be different applications to take into account environmental and local factors, it will not be a case of re-inventing the wheel in terms of PCR and antigen tests, contact tracing, isolation, sanitization, social distancing, masking and movement protocols.

“Each sport and training and competition venue will be examined on a case by case basis to determine safety and compliance and certainly there will be consequences in the event there are breaches.”

The inaugural event continues to generate tremendous interest and is being viewed as a further opportunity for the youth of the Americas and Caribbean to unify across geographical spaces and cultures in the name of sport.

More than 3,800 athletes from 41 countries will compete in 39 sports across 10 days of non-stop action.

There are already several Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalists who have confirmed their participation in these Games, as well as U-23 World Champions in various disciplines.

All of the action from these Games will be broadcast live and direct on the Panam Sports Channel beginning with the Opening Ceremony on November 25 and concluding when the curtain is lowered on the Games at the closing ceremony on December 5.