François Lavoie Calls for Bowling’s Return to 2027 Pan American Games

François Lavoie, photo: Professional Bowlers Assocation (PBA). PanAm Sports Oranization | Visual Credit: panamsports.org

Following the news that bowling has been excluded from the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Canadian national team member François Lavoie has stepped forward with a public statement urging action.

In an open letter, Lavoie addresses both the bowling community and PanAm Sports, expressing deep concern over the sport’s removal from the official program for the first time since its Pan Am debut in 1991. He describes the exclusion as a major blow—not only to current and aspiring athletes—but also to the continued growth and international recognition of the sport.

Lavoie encourages athletes, federations, and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to communicate with PanAm Sports and show their support for bowling’s return. He also outlines the severe impact this exclusion could have on national bowling programs across the Americas. Bowling’s participation in the Pan Am Games has granted it formal recognition from 24 National Olympic Committees in the region. This status often unlocks athlete support, funding, and national team development pathways. Losing that recognition could mean reduced financial support, fewer international opportunities, and a weakened pipeline for future talent. Here is François Lavoie’s full, unedited open letter: Dear friends, By now, many of you have heard the news that bowling has been left out from the initial list of 36 sports to be included in the 2027 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. This news is a devastating blow for our sport, not only for those of us who aim to represent our countries and compete in these Games, but in a broader sense, for the future of international competition and the development of the sport of bowling. Bowling has been a part of every Pan Am Games since it was introduced in 1991 in Havana, Cuba. Bowling is also part of the Central American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the South American Games. Because of our sport’s participation in these Games, bowling is officially recognized by 24 National Olympic Committees in the Pan Am Zone. This recognition means that, to varying degrees, those national bowling federations and associations receive support from their NOCs for training, preparation and participation in international championships and Games. Some countries’ NOCs and governments even award scholarships and/or salaries to their national team members. Because most NOCs base their support level on the Olympic cycle, the exclusion of bowling from the 2027 Pan Am Games could have a trickle down effect that would severely jeopardize future funding, and ultimately, the ability for the sport of bowling to continue to develop. In preparation for the 2019 Pan Am Games, Lima built a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in their Villa Deportiva Nacional. It is the best bowling facility in all of Latin America and has hosted several successful championships since its opening. The exclusion news was particularly shocking to hear, since in this case, the infrastructure is already in place, and little to no investment is needed to improve the facility. Bowling in the Pan Am Games fields two men and two women per participating country and awards medals in singles and doubles. It is one of the most cost-friendly sports to the Pan Am Games. With some understanding that the decision is not final, I call on all athletes to communicate with their local federations. I urge you to emphasize the importance of this decision. With enough support from enough national federations and NOCs, maybe we can get Pan Am Sports to reconsider their decision and continue bowling’s long history in the Pan Am Games. Sincerely, François Lavoie Team Canada Member IBF Athlete Representative