Pan American Games Analysis : Despite Headaches, Result Pleases Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS —  Overcrowded housing, political protests, tight budgets and scuffles involving Cubans caused problems at the Pan American Games, but organizers predict the long-term benefits will be worth the headaches.

“Practically all our dreams came true,” said Mayor William Hudnut. “We hope for more jobs and economic development farther down the line because (businessmen) now know Indianapolis is a vibrant city. We hope for a city with broader horizons as a result of the Pan American Games.”

Most nations have six years to prepare for the Games, but Indianapolis was awarded the Games just 2 1/2 years ago after Chile and Ecuador could not stage them.

“Trying to put together the Games in 30 months did cause problems in raising money,” said Ted Boehm, chairman of PAX-Indianapolis, the organizing group. “Most of the money from businesses is allocated way ahead of time. By starting as late as we did, we were somewhat late for the party.”

Lack of money did not permit plans to be tested, so problems with communications, the shuttle bus system and housing were not anticipated.

“We could have solved every problem by throwing money at it,” Boehm said. “We could have had a dress rehersal of the whole thing. Money would have solved all our problems. But that wasn’t a financially available option for us.”

Organizers expect to break even after spending about $35 million to stage the Games. Final audit figures will not be known until early next year because several contracts with merchandisers do not require final settlements until Dec. 31. Officials expect an estimate to be available next month.

“We don’t have the final answer, but we are very close to break even,” Boehm said. “With 18 divisions spending, who knows what was being bought out there in PAX-I’s name? We believe we know enough about the big items to estimate we will come in at break even.”

The Games originally were planned for late July, a preferable period for PAX-I, but the city had a national convention during that time.

“If it hadn’t been for the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting here late last month, the entire Games would have been earlier and on a schedule more favorable to us,” Boehm said.

The worst moment for organizers came when overcrowding forced creation of a temporary village at a college campus. Within 36 hours, the crisis was dealt with, but not before some anguished moments.

“At that point I was very concerned,” Boehm said. “But I was relieved 36 hours later when we had developed and implemented a plan to solve the problem. We are now reasonably confident that our population was based on non-athletes.

“We made a lot of correct decisions in planning,” Boehm said. “But if I had it to do over again, we would have reviewed more carefully the housing plan. We did accept pretty much at face value the figures on what we were going to get. Had we known, we would have overplanned the village by a larger number.”

Added Hudnut: “Sure there were problems. But that’s life. The key thing is we were ready. The city expanded like an accordion to accommodate extra guests.”

Organizers sold slightly more than $9 million worth of tickets and handled various controversies surrounding the Cuban delegation, including a fight in the stands at a boxing match and several scuffles at baseball games.

“When you stage 300 sporting events and have only three or four Donnybrooks, that’s pretty good,” Boehm said. “The vast bulk of sporting events were enjoyed by athletes and spectators.”

Cubans initially protested the closing ceremony performance by the Miami Sound Machine, a rock group with two members who are Cubans living in the United States.

During the band’s performance at the final festivities, athletes danced on stage with the singers. After a few moments, police escorted them off the stage.

“It seemed to me the kids were having a good time, but we wanted to make sure the Games went off smoothly,” Boehm said. “It was a judgment call. We struck what we thought was a happy balance.”

The Cubans sat passively throughout the band’s performance, causing lead singer Gloria Estefan to wonder if they had been told not to display emotions.

“I imagine if they responded in that way, they felt that way or they were told to respond in that way. It would have been absurd for us not to perform because (the freedom to do) that is why we live in this country,” she said.