2015 Pan American Games to have bowling

ARLINGTON, Texas - Bowling once again will be a part of the sports program when the Pan American Games take place in Toronto in 2015.

Mario Vasquez Rana, president of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), made the announcement on Friday during the PASO General Assembly that is being hosted by the Jamaica Olympic Association in Kingston, Jamaica.

Jose Guandique of El Salvador, president of the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON), represented the sport of tenpin bowling at the assembly and informed PABCON member federations of the decision.

"Bowling has been a medal sport in the Pan American Games since 1991 and we're happy to see the sport's relationship with PASO continue," said Neil Stremmel, USBC Managing Director - National Governing Body. "Team USA bowlers have had great success in the Pan American Games and we're looking forward to participating in 2015 in Toronto."

PASO governs the Pan American Games, which are held every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games and are the second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. PASO, which is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), also has an important sport development mission to promote, develop and celebrate sports in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Team USA has won 20 of a possible 28 gold medals in bowling since it became a medal sport at the 1991 Pan American Games. The U.S. also has won six silver medals and four bronze medals.

At the 2011 Pan American Games, Team USA took home three of the four gold medals, including a sweep of the doubles gold medals. Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., won the women's title while Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, and Bill O'Neill of Southampton, Pa., topped the men's field. Johnson also took home gold in women's singles and Barnes claimed silver in men's singles.