The continental university sport event in the Americas – the FISU America Games – were held in Cali, Colombia between November 5 and 14, Over 1000 student-athletes from 17 countries competing in 13 sport disciplines.

The FISU America Games were launched in 2018 and are held every two years, with the purpose of promoting sports practice and fostering cultural and academic exchange between young people from different nations across the American continent. The first edition was held in São Paulo, Brazil, the second edition in Mérida, Mexico, in 2022. In 2024, Cali, Colombia, hosted the third edition, in 12 sports venues located in the city of Valle del Cauca.

The opening ceremony took place on 5th of November at the Evangelista Mora Coliseum: Jorge Herrera Barona Sports Unit, in presence of FISU President Mr Leonz Eder, Mr Alim Maluf Neto, President of FISU America, and other distinguished and important authorities and guests.

The opening ceremony featured the athletes march pass, welcoming athletes from 17 different countries: Argentina, ⁠Brazil, Chile, ⁠Colombia, Costa Rica⁠, ⁠ Dominican Republic, Ecuador, ⁠El Salvador, ⁠Guatemala, Guyana⁠, Haiti, Honduras⁠, ⁠Jamaica, ⁠Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.

Numerous artistic and dance peformances were part of the Opening Ceremony of the FISU America Games, giving the participants a cultural experiences showcasing many traditional dances. 

Following the Opening Ceremony, competitions were held in 13 sports, including: karate, swimming, chess, volleyball, futsal, taekwondo, basketball, tennis, table tennis, judo, athletics, beach volleyball and weightlifting.

In the overall medal table, Brazil was first with 106 medals, second place went to Colombia with 111 medals and third place went to Mexico with 100 medals. 

The closing ceremony, full of emotional moments, began with the welcoming remarks and continued with the award ceremony for the basketball finals in both categories. In the women's category, Colombia took gold, Mexico took silver and Ecuador took bronze, while in the men's category, the podium was headed by the United States, followed by Mexico and Chile.

Among the closing speeches, Mr Alim Maluf Neto, president of FISU America, shared emotional words at the end of the games: “We have reached the end of the third FISU America Games Cali 2024, an event that will remain in the memory of “each one of us for the performance of our student athletes and, mainly, for the human warmth and affection of all Colombians.” Alim thanked the Organizing Committee, ASCUN and ASCUNDAF, and all the entities that made the event possible.

With special recognition to the volunteers, he added: “Dear student athletes, take home beautiful memories of Cali and of these FISU America games.” Finally, he anticipated the next edition and declared: “See you in two years in beautiful Lima, because FISU America is a continent, a passion.”

The ceremony concluded with a vibrant display of Peruvian culture. The dance group La Selva Anaconda performed traditional dances, filling the stadium with rhythm and color. A promotional video for the FISU America Games Lima 2026 gave a preview of what will be the next great celebration of university sports, promising new challenges and unforgettable moments. 

For more information, please see the official website of the event https://fagames2024.fisuamerica.com/