Havana, September 13 (RHC) – The 13th South American Sports Games Santa Fe 2026 were officially inaugurated in a ceremony in front of the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, the main city of Santa Fe province.
Provincial Governor Maximiliano Pullaro welcomed the more than 4,000 athletes from the 15 participating countries tonight, followed by the event’s artistic segment, which was open to the public free of charge.
Despite the biting cold—with temperatures below 10 degrees—and the bothersome wind, the crowd packed the multicolored, illuminated plaza in front of the National Flag Memorial on the Rosario waterfront, where the stage had been set up against the backdrop of the broad Paraná River.
The cultural show currently underway features renowned artists such as Soledad Pastorutti, Abel Pintos, Juan Carlos Baglietto, Luck Ra, Cacho Deicas, Valentino Merlo, AgustÃn Rada Aristarán, and Mery San Dámaso, alongside other emerging artists from Santa Fe and Rosario.
Featuring musical arrangements by Lito Vitale and directed by Ariel del Mastro and Sebas Mazzoni, the production will bring together over 100 artists from various generations and styles, covering a range of genres from folk and pop to rock and urban music.
The National Flag Memorial plays an active role in the staging. Projection mapping, large screens, lighting, and live cinematography will be used to expand the narrative and project it onto one of the key symbols of both Rosario and Argentina.
This regional sporting event will run for two weeks, concluding on September 26. Competitions will take place in Rosario, the provincial capital of Santa Fe, and Rafaela; stadiums in these cities have been renovated or newly built to host contests across 60 disciplines spanning 43 sports. Additionally, Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata will serve as invited co-host cities.
On Friday, the Governor of Santa Fe officially inaugurated the Santa Fe Olympic Village, where the flags of the 15 participating nations have been flying since yesterday.
Pullaro was accompanied by former Vice Governor and National Deputy Gisela Scaglia, city Mayor Juan Pablo Poletti, sports officials, heads of mission, and representatives from the countries that, starting this Saturday, will take part in the most significant sporting event in Santa Fe province’s history.
Pullaro expressed his gratitude to the Olympic Committee and everyone who made this mega-sporting event possible, but he particularly highlighted the residents of Santa Fe whose efforts brought the project to fruition.
Argentina is sending a delegation of 650 athletes to the Games; they will compete in virtually every discipline, aiming to reclaim the top spot in these regional multi-sport competitions. The Albiceleste delegation has previously secured the overall victory twice, though Brazil and Colombia have historically been the dominant winners. Sunday marks the start of hockey and open-water swimming competitions, while the billiards tournament—which kicked off on Saturday—continues into its second day.
