Security is always a concern for any major sporting event, and the upcoming Pan American Games to be held Guadalajara, Mexico, are no exception. According to a security assessment by the U.S. State Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) on the 2011 Pan American Games, approximately 100,000 visitors and as many as 5,500 athletes are expected to attend the events to be held in the city of 4.4 million. Athletes from 42 countries will compete in 46 sporting events in Guadalajara and several outlying venues. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held Oct. 14 and 30, respectively, in the Omnilife Stadium, adjacent to the athlete's village in northeast Guadalajara. According to media and U.S. State Department sources, the Mexican authorities are coordinating security for the Pan American Games with the forces of the Federal Police, Jalisco state police, municipal police and elements of both the naval and army branches of the Mexican military. Approximately 10,000 police officers from all levels will be responsible for securing the competition venues, as well as providing increased law enforcement presence in tourist areas and around hotels and the airport. The military assets will be patrolling the roads, and probably providing supplemental forces in the largest venues as well as those in the outlying municipalities where there may be less of a police presence.
