Games-Esports joins Pan Am Games, but medals won't count

FILE PHOTO: Pan-Am Games - Santiago 2023 - Opening Ceremony - Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile - October 20, 2023 General view of the cauldron lit during the Opening Ceremony REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Esports was welcomed - sort of - into the Pan American Games family on Wednesday, as gamers marched in their own opening ceremony and to their own anthem ahead of three days of competition that will not count towards the medal table.

Gamers from 25 countries are kitted out in national team uniforms, live in the athletes village, have official credentials and can take part in Sunday's closing ceremonies.