The games included goalball, swimming, and track and field events plus two demonstration sports, beep-baseball and powerlifting.

Thirteen Pan-American countries participated in the games as well as guest athletes from Belarus, Kenya and India who were invited to participate but were not eligible for medals.

One Cuban swimmer defected from the games.

The games offered a daily newsletter in English, Spanish and Braille.

In 2005 the games were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.