The Colombian recently visited the venue to analyse its progress as it gets ready to stage athletics events.

Italian company Mondo has provided the new track.

The same organisation was responsible for the track at Tokyo 2020 and the Oregon 2022 World Championships, and can also be seen at Budapest 2023.

"Because of its texture, it has much less abrasion, less friction, which makes it much faster, so it can guarantee us a great technical level and the possibility of finding good Pan-American brands (sic) and, why not, some surprises approaching brands close to the world or improved," Gómez said.

Apart from traditional powerhouses like the United States and Jamaica, the Pan American Games in Chile is a great opportunity for smaller nations to qualify for the Olympics in the French capital.

World champion race walker Kimberly García of Peru, reigning Olympic and world triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela and Olympic 400 metres silver medallist Anthony Zambrano of Colombia are among the stars who will line-up in Santiago.

Gómez predicted that in sprints, most of the top two in "each event" would make the cut for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"It is very difficult to make a projection of qualifiers for the Olympic Games, but I have no doubt that many will come out," he said.

"In sprint, I think most of the first two in each event will be making the mark for Paris and in throwing they will also have a very high level, Olympic standards will easily be surpassed by four or five athletes."

The technical delegate also backed the host nation's chance of qualifying for Paris 2024, with defending Pan American Games hammer throw champion Gabriel Kehr and discus throw star Claudio Romero in the mix.

A total of 700 athletes are set to participate in track and field at Santiago 2023.

Competition is scheduled to be held from October 30 to November 4.