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MEXICO CITY, Oct. 12-- Mexico's second largest city of Guadalajara are all ready for this week's grand inauguration ceremony of the 2011 Pan American Games. After multiple construction delays, political squabbles and security concerns, the residents of Guadalajara had all but started to lose enthusiasm to be host city of one of the most prestigious sports tournaments in the Americas region. But with the Games scheduled to open on Friday, the attention now is focused on the competitive aspects of what will be the biggest multi-sport competition in the Americas this year. "Politicians are always going to continue squabbling among themselves, but at this time, everyone here is focused on sports," organizing committee spokesman Juan Jose Martinez told Xinhua. And as enthusiasm has been growing for what is expected to be a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, organizers said that 95 percent of all tickets have been sold for the Pan American Games events. "People are very enthusiastic. Tickets for all sports are almost sold out," Martinez said."Six months ago, there were tickets for anyone. Now, there aren't six tickets anywhere." Organizers expect to welcome 3,003 athletes from 42 countries in North, Central and South America, along with the Caribbean, who will compete in 41 different disciplines. Countries such as Mexico and Cuba plan to send their senior national teams to compete in the games while other countries, including the United States and Canada, plan to send less-experienced athletes to the Pan American Games and will treat the event as a competition for developing future Olympians. | 
