It is claimed the agreement will allow social development through sport with the rehabilitation of facilities in the community.

COPUR President Sara Rosario and Panam Sports counterpart Neven Ilic were among those present at the signing ceremony.

They were joined by the Mayor of Loíza, Julia Nazario, as well as community leaders and citizens.

"It is a day of many emotions," Rosario said.

"It is to be able to guide and put into action the Olympic values that promote sports activity in its essence in a community of scarce resources and that has experienced marginalisation.

"After the passage of Hurricane Maria (in September 2017), this situation became more acute.

"We thank Panam Sports for providing through its Olympamérica Program a multi-sectoral complex that will involve people from the community in its management.

"It will be the local Olympic centre."

The other community in Puerto Rico that will benefit from a $100,000 (£76,000/€88,000) investment will be Castañer in Lares. 

Nazario stated he was surprised by the announcement from Ilic to extend Panam Sports' commitment to Loíza.

"Every day a miracle happens in Loíza and today we owe it to the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico and Panam Sports," he said.

"We are immensely grateful.

"It was worth waiting, we knocked on doors in several places and Sara Rosario listened carefully and acted. 

"Today Loíza reaffirms her love and support for COPUR."

The Olympamérica Program is described as being a new opportunity to promote the practice of sport in the Americas.

By developing this, Panam Sports says it continues to strengthen its relationship with and provide support to its member National Olympic Committees.

Olympamérica was designed as a social development programme that promotes sport as a vehicle to help underdeveloped communities.