The 19th Pan American Games began tonight in Santiago with a spectacular Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images

Picture gallery

Lucy Lopez, centre, winner of the women's high jump silver medal at the inaugural Pan American Games at Buenos Aires in 1951, walked with Chile's first Olympic gold medallists, tennis stars Nicolas Massu, right, and Fernando González, left, to light the Cauldron ©Santiago 2023
Lucy Lopez, centre, winner of the women's high jump silver medal at the inaugural Pan American Games at Buenos Aires in 1951, walked with Chile's first Olympic gold medallists, tennis stars Nicolas Massu, right, and Fernando González, left, to light the Cauldron ©Santiago 2023
The Ceremony's cultural performances placed an emphasis on Chile's native birds such as the flamingo, penguin and the many-coloured rush tyrant ©Getty Images
The Ceremony's cultural performances placed an emphasis on Chile's native birds such as the flamingo, penguin and the many-coloured rush tyrant ©Getty Images
The many-coloured rush tyrant is also the official mascot of Santiago 2023, Fiu ©Getty Images
The many-coloured rush tyrant is also the official mascot of Santiago 2023, Fiu ©Getty Images
Host nation Chile received a welcoming roar from the crowd before the official song of Santiago 2023, A la Cima, was performed ©Getty Images
Host nation Chile received a welcoming roar from the crowd before the official song of Santiago 2023, A la Cima, was performed ©Getty Images
Panam Sports President Neven Ilic addressed the crowd, saying
Panam Sports President Neven Ilic addressed the crowd, saying "You cannot imagine the pride I feel to be Chilean and have the privilege of being here today to inaugurate the greatest Games of the Americas here in my country" ©Getty Images
He was followed by Chilean President Gabriel Boric who declared the Games officially open ©Getty Images
He was followed by Chilean President Gabriel Boric who declared the Games officially open ©Getty Images
The show then resumed with Los Jaivas playing their hit Todos Juntos as short bursts of fireworks began to ignite around the stadium ©Getty Images
The show then resumed with Los Jaivas playing their hit Todos Juntos as short bursts of fireworks began to ignite around the stadium ©Getty Images
Meanwhile, former Chilean footballer Ivan Zamorano brought the Flame into the stadium before the Cauldron was lit ©Getty Images
Meanwhile, former Chilean footballer Ivan Zamorano brought the Flame into the stadium before the Cauldron was lit ©Getty Images
Finally, it was time for the long-awaited performance of Colombian superstar Sebastian Yatra, right, who closed out the spectacle ©Getty Images
Finally, it was time for the long-awaited performance of Colombian superstar Sebastian Yatra, right, who closed out the spectacle ©Getty Images