| U.S. athletes concluded nine thrilling days of competition with historic performances at the 2023 Parapan American Games, tallying 165 total medals – 55 gold, 58 silver and 52 bronze – in Santiago. “It was an honor and privilege to support the amazing athletes of Team USA at the Parapan American Games,” said Julie Dussliere, chef de mission of the U.S. delegation at Santiago 2023. “These Games provided a great platform for Team USA to compete against some of the best athletes in the world and showcased the best of the Paralympic Movement through some spectacular moments. As our time in Chile comes to a close, I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the wonderful people of Chile and the Santiago 2023 Organizing Committee for their support, kindness and generosity.” Team USA sent 240 athletes to Chile with athletes winning medals in 15 of the 17 sports on the Games program. 159 Americans landed on the Parapan Am podium, including 51 multi-medalists. Overall, Team USA finished second in the total medal count behind Brazil and ahead of Colombia. The largest multi-sporting event in the Americas, the Parapan Am Games bring together nearly 2,000 athletes spanning 31 nations, providing high-level continental competition and pivotal qualification opportunities for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. The U.S. clinched direct qualifications to Paris 2024 for four athletes – Ian Seidenfeld (table tennis); Tahl Leibovitz (table tennis); Jenson Van Emburgh (table tennis); Dana Mathewson (wheelchair tennis) – and four teams – the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams; men’s goalball and wheelchair rugby. Additionally, Team USA secured important Paralympic quota spots in shooting and archery. “My time in Santiago for the Parapan American Games was one I’ll cherish forever,” said Paralympic gold medalist and Paris 2024 qualifier in wheelchair basketball Jorge Sanchez. “The people, culture, and amount of support we received was incredible. It was an honor to compete with my brothers and qualify for the Paralympics next year. I’m super pumped and looking forward to the journey to gold!” Only the seventh edition of the Parapan Am Games, the event takes place every four years with Santiago, Chile hosting for the first time in history from Nov. 17-26. Organized by Panam Sports, the Americas Paralympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, Santiago 2023 celebrated an inclusive sporting event that transcends time and unites Chile and the Americas through the values of sport. Full results from the Parapan Am Games can be found at Santiago2023.org. In total, Team USA closed a successful showing at the Pan American and Parapan American Games with 451 medals – 179 gold, 133 silver and 139 bronze. To relive the action in Santiago, visit TeamUSA.com and on Team USA’s social channels featuring the hashtag #Santiago2023. Team USA highlights and historical performances from Santiago 2023: Of the 159 Team USA athletes capturing medals, 51 won multiple medals including swimmer Taylor Winnett, 24, whose seven podium finishes made her the most decorated U.S. athlete at the Games. She also won the U.S. team’s first gold medal in swimming. Four U.S. athletes earned direct qualifications for Paris 2024: Ian Seidenfeld (table tennis); Tahl Leibovitz (table tennis); Jenson Van Emburgh (table tennis); Dana Mathewson (wheelchair tennis). Leibovitz, who has won 11 Parapan Am medals across six Parapan Am Games, will compete in his seventh Paralympic Games in Paris. Team USA will send four teams to Paris next summer after medal performances in Santiago. The U.S. men’s and women’s basketball teams and wheelchair rugby team won gold, while the men’s goalball team captured silver to secure direct team qualifications for the Games. The U.S. also secured quota slots for Paris in shooting and archery. Seventeen athletes with military ties made appearances on the podium in Santiago for a total of 21 medal wins. Candice Caesar (archery), Dennis Connors (cycling) and Marco De La Rosa (shooting) each won two medals a piece including one gold. Sarah Adams made history as the first woman to win a gold medal in wheelchair rugby at the Parapan Am Games. The youngest athlete on the U.S. roster, swimmer Chloe Cederholm, claimed her first career international medal with a bronze at just 13-years of age. Team USA swept the podium six times in Santiago with top three finishes in cycling (1), shooting (1), swimming (1) and track and field (3). U.S. Opening and Closing Ceremony flag bearers – Ben Goodrich (judo), Dana Matthewson (wheelchair tennis) and Lisa Czechowski (goalball) – combined for four medals in Santiago. Nine athletes set new Parapan Am records, with one of those records being an Americas record set by Brianna Salinaro in the women’s 100-meters T35 in track and field. In her first international track event, Salinaro recently transitioned into the sport after being the first female Paralympian to compete for Para taekwondo at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. 12 athletes won three or more medals, with six of them competing in swimming. Team USA’s team sports had a strong showing in Santiago, winning a medal in every team event they competed in (CP soccer, bronze; men’s wheelchair basketball, gold; women’s wheelchair basketball, gold; men’s goalball, silver; women’s goalball, silver; mixed rugby, gold). |
