The National Stadium in Santiago will host the opening ceremony of the Pan American Games on Friday. The stadium is source of pride for many in Chile but no celebration will erase its dark past. The stadium that has hosted some incredible sporting moments also showcased some of the worst of humanity.
The National Stadium of Santiago stands days before the start of the Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. The Games start Oct. 20. FILE - Musicians and dancers perform in front of the National Stadium, which served as a detention and torture center in the early days of the military dictatorship, during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the 1973 military coup that toppled the government of late President Salvador Allende, in Santiago, Chile, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.
The coup d’etat that ousted President Salvador Allende changed the stadium’s — and the country’s — history. There are now seven memorials around it, including a sign on a wall at the entrance of the National Stadium’s compound. That is where many prisoners were tortured and executed.In April, the velodrome was renamed after Sergio Tormen, a cyclist who was arrested by the military and disappeared on July 20, 1974.
Sergio Muñoz, who was 25 years old when he was taken to the stadium by the dictatorship, said he felt horror when a hooded person walked among the inmates to identify adversaries of the new regime. It wasn’t only Chileans who experienced fear at the National Stadium back then. Brazilian politician José Serra said being questioned at the stadium was the toughest moment of his life. The 81-year-old two-time presidential candidate and former Sao Paulo governor was among the 300 foreigners who were taken to the stadium by military agents.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
National anthem singers needed for 2024 National Western Stock ShowCleanup starts the minute the National Western Stock Show ends. The dirt has to go somewhere.
Read more »
UK national, South African and local guide killed in an attack near a Ugandan national parkA tourist from Britain, another from South Africa and their local guide have been killed in an attack on a tourist vehicle near a Ugandan national park, according to wildlife authorities
Read more »
UK national, South African and local guide killed in an attack near a Ugandan national parkA tourist from Britain, another from South Africa and their local guide have been killed in an attack on a tourist vehicle near a Ugandan national park, according to wildlife authorities.
Read more »
Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site begin deer-removal programOlivia's Pumpkin Pot Pie is roasted and served in a pumpkin for the ultimate autumn vibes.
Read more »
Dark past of the National Stadium in Chile reemerges with opening ceremony at the Pan American GamesThe National Stadium in Santiago will host the opening ceremony of the Pan American Games on Friday
Read more »
“DMPED Kicks Off DC Sports Study to Analyze Stadium Financing and Measure Economic Impact”Welcome to the beautiful life
Read more »