2026 South American Games: Argentina going strong with 31 golds

Argentina is going strong at the 2026 South American Games in Santa Fe, with a tally of 101 medals on Thursday, placing it second overall in the standings, behind only Brazil’s 117.

Argentine athletes have picked up 31 gold medals, 28 silver, and 42 bronze. They can’t quite rest on their laurels yet, with Colombia quick on their heels with 30 gold medals and a tally of 73 total. In all Olympic’s style competitions, it’s the gold medal tally that orders the standings, and not the total tally.

Russo three-peats Medal no. 31 for Argentina came from sport shooter Fernanda Russo, who made history at the games by securing her third consecutive 10m air rifle title.

The Córdoba native won the final at the International Shooting Center with a score of 249.1 points. Brazil’s Geovana Meyer finished second with 246.7, while Peru’s Sara Vizcarra completed the podium with 225.5.

The result not only keeps Argentina in close pursuit of Brazil but also secures a ticket for Russo to the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, where she’ll aim to earn a spot at the LA 2028 Olympics.

Earlier that day, Rodrigo Enriquez and Santino Menin won the men’s lightweight double sculls in rowing with a time of 6:19.78, obtaining Argentina’s 30th gold medal.

Argentine swimming ends on a high note Argentine swimmers wrapped up an impressive performance at Santa Fe 2026 with an unprecedented haul. Adding three medals on the final day, the national team reached 28 medals, making swimming the country’s most successful discipline at the Games.

Gold medal highlights included Macarena Ceballos’s wins at the 100m breaststroke — where she set a South American record of 1:06.8 — the 200m breaststroke — another record of 2:28.21 — and the 50m breaststroke. 

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Cecilia Dieleke took the win at the 100m backstroke — a South American Games record of 1:00.61 — and shared gold at the 50m backstroke. Malena Santillán won the gold in the 200m backstroke.

The Argentine swimming team’s seventh gold medal came in the women’s 4x100m medley relay. The gold-medal quartet featured Cecilia Dieleke (backstroke), Macarena Ceballos (breaststroke), Laila Chain (butterfly), and Andrea Berrino (freestyle).

A goated message Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi reached out to the Argentine athletes competing at the Santa Fe 2026 to send a message of encouragement.

“I wanted to send my best wishes to all the participants in the South American Games,” said Messi in a message released via the competition’s official channels.

“I know many have already competed, so congratulations to everyone who did, to those who won medals, and I wish the best of luck to everyone who hasn’t yet and is about to step up,” he added. “Wishing you all the best, sending a big hug, and stay well.”

Messi has been increasingly in the spotlight after the 2026 FIFA World Cup following his retirement announcement from the Argentine national football team and his upcoming farewell game on October 6.

What’s next? Action continues on Friday with Pumas 7s, Yaguaretés, and field hockey teams taking the field.

Las Yaguaretés, the women’s rugby sevens team, are chasing a spot in the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima. However, it’s not a win-or-go-home affair, as they can also earn a spot in the South American Championship in October. They will kick off their campaign on the same day at 3:50 p.m. against Peru.

Los Pumas Sevens, the men’s team, have already secured their qualification to Lima 2027, but head coach Santiago Gómez Cora said he and his team are “thrilled to compete in Argentina again,” after playing unofficial tournaments before. They will make their debut at 5:26 p.m. against Paraguay.

World champions Las Leonas will take on undefeated Chile at 2 p.m., following wins over Paraguay and Uruguay, in what could be a rehearsal for the final, while men’s team Los Leones will face the same rival at 4 p.m., with similar stakes.