The 13th South American Games, Santa Fe 2026, ended last Saturday after 15 days of competitions, cultural activities and recreational events. On Monday, the provincial government’s spokesperson, Virginia Coudannes, chaired a press conference in the Auditorium of the Government House to present an overview of the sporting event.
Coudannes highlighted the coordination between the institutions that made the competition possible. “There is a huge family: the organisation comprising the provincial government, the municipal government, the three host venues, the Argentine Olympic Committee, the Odesur Olympic Committee, the 400 companies, the 3,000 workers and the sponsors who supported us,” she listed.
The official stated that this joint effort made Santa Fe 2026 the most well-attended South American Games in history. Whilst she clarified that the final figures are still being finalised, she emphasised that “we reached 3.5 million people who attended the competitions and the Fan Fests, from the opening ceremony – which had over 250,000 attendees – to the closing ceremony in Santa Fe, with over 100,000 in attendance”, she noted.
“New opportunities”
The spokesperson praised the public’s support, the athletes’ performances, the artists’ participation in the Fan Fests and the impact of Capi, the Games’ official mascot. She also stated that the event launches new prospects for the province. “From today, a host of opportunities are opening for Santa Fe in terms of sporting, artistic and cultural events, but also in terms of investment. That, too, is part of the legacy,” she said.
Reviewing the economic indicators, she reported that during the 15 days of competition, activity linked to the Games generated more than $120,000 million in the province. She also noted that there were 600,000 tourists, including both those who stayed overnight and those who visited the various venues.
Average hotel occupancy reached 80 per cent, led by Rosario at 86.5 per cent; followed by the city of Santa Fe at 82 per cent; and Rafaela at 70 per cent. Coudannes also highlighted the charitable legacy of the competition: tickets booked in advance by the public raised over 1,300 million pesos, which will be donated to various organisations.
“Beyond the figures, there is something that Governor Maximiliano Pullaro also considers immeasurable: the lasting impression left on every resident of Santa Fe, every young person, teenager and child who took part in these Games. They have left their mark: the Santa Fe brand, a brand that will last forever,” he emphasised.
Joint effort
Marzo highlighted the work carried out over more than two years by the provincial government and the host cities: Santa Fe, Rosario and Rafaela. In particular, he noted that, according to figures from the Municipal Under-Secretariat for Tourism, 87 per cent of those who visited the city of Santa Fe did so because of the Games. He also highlighted the Argentine delegation’s second place in the medal table.
For his part, Germán Chiaraviglio, a former Olympic pole vaulter and sports ambassador for the Games, celebrated the outcome of the competition. “The teamwork on display was magnificent,” he summarised. “As an athlete and a native of Santa Fe, I am immensely proud to have experienced the Games as we did and pleasantly surprised by the calibre of the athletes, but also by the support and respect shown by the people. These are the values of the Olympic movement and of sport that we wish to promote,” he added.
The venues were also attended by 200,000 schoolchildren from across the province, whilst more than 4,000 volunteers helped organise the event. Mauro, speaking on behalf of this group, described the experience as “a great source of satisfaction” and highlighted “the warmth of the athletes, the organisers and the public”.
Maricel, another volunteer, agreed: “We speak on behalf of everyone and we are very happy. They were extraordinary days and I think we’ve become one big family.”
