The Chilean capital is the only contender to host the regional event following the withdrawal of Buenos Aires earlier this year.

Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) officials, including its Chilean President Neven Ilic, were among those to meet Bachelet and watch a presentation from the bid team. 

It appears virtually guaranteed to be formally confirmed as host at the PASO General Assembly meeting in Prague, held alongside the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly there in November.

"We had a very good meeting with the President of Chile, Mrs Bachelet, and it was a meeting in which she showed her support for the Games," PASO secretary general Ivar Sisniega told insidethegames after the meeting. 

"It is very clear we'll have a great team with the Government of Chile, the Government of Santiago and the Chilean Olympic Committee all working together to make a great Pan American Games.

"PASO is going to work very closely with them to make sure these Games are successful.

"Santiago has great conditions to host the Games and we are sure that the legacy that will result from these Games will be of benefit for Chilean sport, and also for young people in Chile.

"We are looking forward to this very much." 

Santiago's bid is largely based around pre-existing venues but it is planned that several new facilities would also be constructed.

Bachelet is due to stand down early next year following a General Election in November and a Presidential runoff the following month after reaching the end of her term limit.

Sisniega said that they have been assured that all candidates in the elections support Chile's bid.

Ilic was elected PASO President by a single vote in a thrilling election in April in Montevideo over Dominican Republic's José Joaquín Puello and Brazil's Carlos Nuzman.

He is still President of the Chilean Olympic Committee but is expected to stand-down at some stage to avoid a conflict of interest with his PASO role, as well as with Santiago's Pan American Games preparations.