By Tom Degun

Bowling Guadalajara 2011February 11 - Tenpin bowling will again appear on the sports programme at the Pan American Games for Toronto 2015, it has been confirmed by the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO).


PASO President Mario Vasquez Rana of Mexico announced the decision during the organisation's General Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica.

Bowling has been part of the Pan American Games since 1991 when the competition was held in Havana and United States Bowling Congress (USBC) managing director Neil Stremmel has welcomed the decision from PASO to keep it on the sports programme.

"Bowling has been a medal sport in the Pan American Games since 1991 and we're happy to see the sport's relationship with PASO continue," said Stremmel.

"Team USA bowlers have had great success in the Pan American Games and we're looking forward to participating in 2015 in Toronto."

The United States has dominated the sport since it has featured at the Pan American Games, winning 20 of a possible 28 gold as well as six silver medals and four bronze medals.

At the most recent Pan American Games in 2011 in Guadalajara, the US took home three of the four gold medals as they won the women's singles and the men's and women's doubles.

Their clean sweep was halted by Colombia's Santiago Mejia, who won gold in the men's singles, with Chris Barnes of the United States taking silver behind him.

Although the entire sports programme for Toronto 2015 must still be finalised, bowls is one of 36 sports currently scheduled to be staged at the Games in the Canadian city, which will see approximately 6,000 athletes from 41 nations in action.

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