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The Bolivarian Games are a multi-sport competition involving athletes from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. The games attract these countries top athletes to compete in events similar to those at the Olympics. The purpose of these games are to inspire unity through sport amongst the Bolivarian countries.

The first Bolivarian Games were held in 1938 in Bogotá, Colombia, in celebration of the city’s 400th year anniversary. They have been held every four years since 1973. See all host cities.

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In 2010, the Bolivarian Sports Organization (Organización Deportiva Bolivariana, ODEBO) announced Chile as its 7th member. The 2013 Bolivarian Games was the first one to have athletes from 11 countries, instead of the usual 6 members of the Bolivarian Sports Organization/

The last Games included these coutries: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

In regards to the medals earned, Peru was once the dominant country until the 1960s. Up until 2009, Venezuela dominated the games, but recently it has been Colombia.

There is also a Beach version of the Games, held since 2012, and a Youth Games since 2020.

Interesting Fact: The Bolivarian Games serve to commemorate Simón Bolívar, aka “El Libertador.” Simón was the leader of many independence movements throughout South America during a period of conflicts that came to be called Bolívar’s War. Eventually, liberty was achieved for the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia where he is now revered as their hero.

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Related Pages

• Bolivarian Games Host Cities
• Other International Multi-Events
• About the discontinued ALBA Games, organized by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA).
• About Sport in Bolivia
• Multi-Sport Events (Games) Calendar