The State of MÉXICO will host over 200 athletes from 10 countries in the inaugural 2026 Virtus Pan American Games, scheduled from November 23 to 27 at the “Juan Fernández Albarrán” Sports City in Zinacantepec.
Local Athletes Hold 56 Percent of the Squad
- National delegation roster dynamics shift toward regional concentration, with local athletes holding a 56 percent share of the squad.
Regional Infrastructure Meets Continental Competition
The upcoming international meet aims to expand athletic participation opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism. almomento.mx reported that the event operates under the administration of Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez.
State officials confirmed that technical, logistical, and operational procedures meet international quality standards.
State of MÉXICO Athletes Form Majority of Delegation
Local athletes will form a substantial majority of the national contingent. Orlando Ibarra Pérez, the tournament’s technical director, reported that approximately 56 percent of the Mexican delegation will consist of athletes from the State of MÉXICO, totaling 45 competitors out of roughly 80 national representatives, according to almomento.mx.
For competitors with intellectual disabilities, the tournament also serves as part of the selection process leading toward the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. State track and field medalist Paola Romero attended the official presentation as a special guest, as noted by almomento.mx.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Athletes | Over 200 |
| Mexican Representatives | Roughly 80 |
| State of MÉXICO Athletes | 45 (approx. 56%) |
SECTI and COPAME Coordinate International Meet Competitions
Organization of the international meet involves coordination between the Secretariat of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (SECTI), headed by Miguel Ángel Hernández Espejel, through IDEMÉX and in collaboration with the Mexican Paralympic Committee (COPAME), as reported by almomento.mx.
Competitions will span track and field, swimming, and table tennis.
