The event, which takes place from October 14 to October 30, with see approximately 6,000 athletes from 42 nations participate across 36 sports in the last major multi-sport event before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

The overall budget is approximately $250 million (£155 million), with $10 million (£6 million) to go towards security for the event due to safety fears in the area following recent gang attacks on bars and police stations in the area.

However, organisers have dismissed fears that the event will not be safe for athletes and spectators to attend.

"I believe that security won't be an obstacle to us enjoying the Pan American Games," said Emilio González Márquez, who is the governor for the state of Jalisco and President of the Guadalajara 2011 Organising Committee.

Aurelio Lopez Rocha, head of tourism for the state, added: "We have intelligence measures prepared to guarantee the security of the athletes and tourists attending the Pan American Games."

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the event is set to take place at the 50,000 capacity Omnilife Stadium, which is the fourth largest stadium in Mexico.

The event will be followed by the Para Pan Games for Paralympic athletes which takes place from November 12 until 20.

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