The evening concluded with a lively performance from Luis Fonsi, the five-times Latin Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer.

Fonsi is known internationally for Despacito, the song with 6.25 billion views on YouTube that makes it the channel’s most-viewed video of all time. A remixed version of Despacito featuring Canadian singing sensation Justin Bieber made the song inescapable across the world in 2017.

Securing Fonsi’s appearance at the Opening Ceremony was something of a coup for Lima 2019, especially due to his popularity in South America. Bar Shakira and Ricky Martin, few South American artists have managed to reach Fonsi’s level of success internationally, making the Puerto Rican a source of immense pride for the continent.

A packed press conference room was the first demonstration of Fonsi’s popularity here, with the singer giving a masterclass on dealing with a range of questions fielded to him by the eager journalists hanging to his every word.

Asked about the political situation in Puerto Rico, Fonsi briefly strayed off topic to issue a heartfelt message of solidarity to his compatriots, receiving a burst of applause for his trouble. He then reacted well to a challenge that the main act should have been Peruvian, chuckling to himself before responding with a considered answer.

I have not yet seen a press conference here that has attracted the same attention, having just attended a daily briefing alongside a mere four other journalists.

Indeed, Fonsi has done wonders for the publicity of the Games with his ability to say the right thing and provide perfect soundbites to the media. 

"It is great to be part of such a great event," he said in the build-up to the Ceremony.

"I am very honoured to be next to great local artists who will also be performing.

"I am a sports fan and for me music and sports really mingle, I think we have something really beautiful prepared for Friday.

"I want to give you more details but I also want to surprise you, it’s going to be a very special and magical night, just like it should be.

"I think it’s a privilege to be a part of this Games."

Along with his ability to captivate the world's media, Fonsi has many fans who follow his every move, quite literally. 

This was highlighted when, one evening, Fonsi strolled into the lobby of our hotel, where he is also staying. Running after him were two screaming girls, who were politely but firmly turned away by the hotel’s doormen before they could get any further.

Fans such as these may have never heard of the Pan American Games, but they will have now. Although not a sporting star, Fonsi is a point of interest that may entice those not formerly bothered about the competition to take notice. These people could even remain engaged once Fonsi steps away from the limelight.

This was the case last month in Naples, where I was covering the 2019 Summer Universiade. Proceedings there focused on generating national and Neapolitan pride, featuring an emotive performance from Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli. 

SSC Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne, a hero in football-mad Naples, then received a rapturous reception for lighting the Universiade cauldron with a flaming ball.

Tickets sales rocketed following the Ceremony, with venues often filled to the rafters with proud and raucous Italians. The Universiade was generally very well received in Naples, which can be partly attributed to the successful pitching of the Opening Ceremony to its audience.

Likewise here, where Fonsi was the perfect act to play on South American pride but maintain North American interest.

Now to see whether this translates to bums on seats. At aforementioned press briefing, a Lima 2019 spokesperson pleaded with the media to ensure that ticket information is shared widely, with many still available in 26 of the 39 sports taking place here.

It will be interesting to watch sales as organisers pray that Pan American Games fever takes off in Lima. The Opening Ceremony could prove key to this, showing that they are not all about formal proceedings and the maintenance of tradition. They can have also have an integral part in the ultimate success of a sporting competition. 

Fonsi has played his part. Now on to the sport itself.