During the official ceremony, the National Anthem of Panama was sung, one of the most solemn moments of the event. Additionally, the event's official mascot, Antón, was present, entertaining the crowd and contributing to the festive atmosphere. Panamanian traditional music was also highlighted by performances from Osvaldo Ayala, Jonathan Chávez, and Margarita Henríquez, who added identity and tradition to the show. One of the most anticipated moments of the night was the performance by Puerto Rican artist Farruko, who led a spectacular show that connected with the audience and elevated the festive mood of the event. The parade of delegations, accompanied by music and applause, marked one of the most emotional points of the day, with Panama closing the procession to a standing ovation, led by its flag bearers Raúl Antadilla and Desirée Frías, representing the host nation facing the challenge of competing at home. A total of 15 countries will participate in the 2026 South American Youth Games, with delegations led by Brazil (254 athletes), Argentina (250), and Panama (246), followed by Venezuela (185), Colombia (178), Chile (155), Peru (147), and Paraguay (143). Ecuador (102), Bolivia (98), Uruguay (94), Curaçao (38), Guyana (30), Aruba (12), and Suriname (12) will also participate. The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, attended the event accompanied by ministers and the director of the Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes), Miguel Ordóñez, who were part of the inaugural protocol. "I am pleased to solemnly declare the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 officially open. Panama experienced a historic night, filled with emotion, color, and national pride, with the inauguration of the IV South American Youth Games 2026 at the iconic Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez Stadium, which was splendidly decorated to host the first major multi-sport event of the Olympic cycle in the country in over a decade. From early afternoon, hundreds of people began to arrive at the colossus in Juan Díaz, in an atmosphere marked by anticipation and celebration. Successes and welcome to Panama," said Mulino. The most symbolic moment of the night arrived with the lighting of the cauldron by Olympic medalists Irving Saladino and Atheyna Bylon, officially marking the start of the Games and unleashing the emotion of the entire stadium. "Today Panama opens not only its doors but its heart. This is the reflection of a dream that becomes a reality," said Damaris Young, president of the Panama Olympic Committee (COP). This act marked the formal beginning of a competition that will run from April 12 to 25, with 14 days of activity across 23 disciplines and multiple venues nationwide. "This dream has been possible through teamwork," said Miguel Ordóñez, director of Pandeportes. Venues such as the Irving Saladino Sports City, the High Performance Center, the Figali Convention Center, and the Coastal Strip are part of the infrastructure that will host the tournament's competitions. Families, youth, and sports fans filled the stands, in a clear demonstration of the support of the Panamanian public for an event bringing together over 2,000 athletes from the region. The ceremony, which began at 7:00 p.m., was a display of culture, music, and sport, combining elements that reflect the identity of our country.
