2007 Pan-American Games in Rio

Although Anthony did note that the 2007 Pan-American Games were underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on his Monaga blog last week, I haven't seen much coverage of them on other blogs and sports sites I check out, or in the US mainstream TV and online newsmedia and its various offshoots. I can't find the games online; perhaps they're being broadcast on a cable channel we don't have. In terms of online coverage, the US version of Yahoo! Sports doesn't even include a link for them on its "Other Sports" page; you have to go to one of the other national pages (like Brazil's, for example) to pull it up, under "Olympics." The New York Times links to AP articles, but has no individual section for them, while SI.com (Sports Illustrated) posts individual writeups on different athletes, such as the rare boxing shutout by American Demetrius Andrade, but has no dedicated section. Why the whiteout?

Perhaps I'm misrecalling the situation four years ago, when the games were in the Dominican Republic, but wasn't there more coverage then? Did the US media expend all their interest in the run-up to the games, when there was serious concern that the Rio city and state and Brazilian federal governments, having missed some early targets (like extending subway lines), would not finish the facilities in time or be able to prevent the kinds of eruptions of organized gang violence that have plagued the Rio metro area--and other urban parts of Brazil--over the last few years? Fortunately for the participants and spectators, all the necessary event sites were completed in time, nor have there been any violent episodes (except between the Cuban and Brazilian delegations over a sketchy ruling in a judo contest). It should come as no surprise that the US is dominating in the medal count, with 177 total medals (75 gold, 67 silver and 35 bronze). Brazil is second with 105 medals (35 golds), Canada third with 88 (23 golds), and Cuba fourth with 82 medals (35 golds). Over half of the participating countries, however, have earned at least one medal.

Here are just a few games photos from Yahoo! Sports, which I found after a little search.

Puerto Rico's Jose Juan Barea (L) fights for the ball with Canada's Ryan Bell during their basketball match at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro July 25, 2007. REUTERS/Caetano Barreira

Darvis Doc Patton, from the U.S., center, slips after winning the silver medal during the men's 100 meters at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, July 24, 2007. At right is Churandy Martina, from the Netherland Antilles, who won the gold medal and at left is Brendan Christian, from Antigua, who arrived third. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

U.S. Demetrius Andrade, right, wins the fight against Argentina's Diego Chavez, left, during the Pan American Games welter 69kg boxing competition in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Andrade advanced to the final. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Mikele Barber, from the United States, wins the Women's 100 mt race of the Pan American Games Athletics, in Rio de Janeiro,Tuesday July 24, 2007. Mechelle Llewis, on lane 3, also from the U.S., finished second and Chandra Sturrup, on lane 5, from the Bahamas, was third. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

USA basketball team players celebrate after defeating Brazil in the women basketball final match during the XV Pan American Games Rio 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24 July 2007. USA won 77-69 and got the Gold. (OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images)

Argentina's Fernando Scursoni (bottom) figths for the ball with Canada's Nathaniel Miller (top) during their Rio 2007 XV Pan American Games waterpolo match, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 23 July 2007. Canada defeated Argentina 19-8. AFP PHOTO/Mauricio LIMA (Photo credit should read MAURICIO LIMA/AFP/Getty Images)

Cuba's Julio Herrera and Yosmany Poll celebrate after winning the gold medal for the men's team sprint cycling at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, July 19, 2007.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Canada's Michel Boulos, left, battles USA's James Williams in the men's team sabre event at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, July 21, 2007. USA won gold and Canada silver.(AP Photo/Andrew Vaughan, CP)

Dominican Wendy Cruz, right, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's road 156 Km cycling race of the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Brazil's Luciano Pagliarini, left, won the bronze medal.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia)