Considered by PASO (Pan American Sports Organization) as the best edition of Pan American Games in history, Rio 2007 attains greater worldwide recognition. The opening ceremony of the Games won the SportBusiness ISEMS Award as the best sports event ceremony. The award was granted by the International Sports Event Management and Security (ISEMS), which assessed events held in the last 18 months in several parts of the world.

The judges performed the assessments taking into account aspects such as degree of innovation, creativity and organization in some of the main sports competitions of the world.

"We are very happy with this ISEMS award on its first edition and also of being part of a very selective shortlist. It is an honor", stated Scott Givens, Executive Producer of Rio 2007 Opening Ceremony and President of the company FiveCurrents.

The official opening of Rio 2007 Pan American Games impressed the 75 thousand people who saw the event at Maracanã Stadium on July 13, with an amazing show of colors, lights and sounds, gathering several aspects of the Brazilian culture.

The Games motto, «Share this Energy», was presented in the ceremony through the strength of three elements: sun, waters and human being, generating on athletes and the audience the joy that characterized the competition.