US reign as Pan Am Games close

Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico closed out the Pan American Games with gold, but the United States nabbed two last bronzes lest anyone forget they still reign in the region. The United States finished with a total of 236 medals, 92 of them gold, in the regional sports extravaganza. Cuba were second in the final medals table with 58 gold and 136 overall, followed by Brazil with 48 gold and 141 total medals. Solonei Silva's victory in the men's marathon on Sunday gave Brazil their final gold of the games. He won in two hours 16 minutes 37 seconds with Colombians Diego Colorado and Juan Cardona second and third. Canada won the first Pan Am Games rugby sevens final, edging Argentina 26-24. The addition of the sport to the Pan Am programme previewed the addition of rugby sevens to the Olympics slated for 2016. The United States snaffled the rugby sevens bronze, and also took bronze in the men's basketball tournament won by Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico won the gold with a 74-72 victory over Mexico in Sunday's final, Juan Jose "JJ" Barea -- who plays with NBA champions Dallas -- delivering the decisive blow with 1.5 seconds remaining. Despite that heartbreak, the host nation finished fourth in the medals table with 42 golds and 133 total. Three of Mexico's golds were delivered by diver Paola Espinosa, who like many competing here was already looking ahead to the 2012 London Olympics. "I want to be Olympic champion," Espinosa said. "The Olympic gold is something every day I dream of."