He has now left Santiago 2023 but before departing, the German official praised the organisation of event.

Bach flew directly from the IOC Session in Mumbai, so he arrived in time for the Opening Ceremony at Santiago 2023, where he was accompanied by Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

He visited several of the venues and was particularly impressed with the Athletes’ Village, which he made a trip to on Saturday (October 21).

"The athletes are very happy with this Village and that is the most important thing, not what I or anyone else thinks," Bach said.

"This is a space for competitors and what I have been able to see this morning is that they are extremely happy with the conditions that are offered.

"We have nothing to complain about.

"Everything has been working very well.

"You see a very functional Village.

"Volunteers who are very friendly and efficient.

“You see that in the venues everything has worked according to schedule.

"According to what I have been able to experience since Friday, all the lights are green for an excellent Pan American Games in Santiago 2023.

"My advice would be that once we finish these Games successfully, they should begin to set the next goal.

"And among them could be the Olympic Games or other events of this nature."

Previous cities to have hosted the Pan American Games before going to stage the Olympics include Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro. 

Harold Mayne-Nicholls, executive director of Santiago 2023, reacted to Bach’s challenge positively.

"His words fill us with hope and motivation to continue working on large-scale sports projects," Mayne-Nicholls said.

"I believe that if we continue on this path, we can host the Olympic Games.

"People have already responded; the infrastructure is there and must be maintained.

"The Pan American Games are full of life and that shows that in Chile we are willing to host bigger events."

There was also praise for the organisation for the event from another IOC member Sergey Bubka, the 1988 Olympic gold medallist in the pole vault.

"I appreciate Neven Ilic's invitation," the Ukrainian said.

"This is a beautiful country, very kind people,

"I have felt very comfortable.

"We had a beautiful opening ceremony.

"Chile is a great experience that I am discovering.

"Everything seems very positive, friendly, especially for the welcome of the athletes.

"The people here are very happy, with positive energy.

"The organisation of these Games is fantastic."

During Bach's visit to Santiago, among the officials he met was Luis Mejía Oviedo, President of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization.

Oviedo had been among the officials at the IOC Session to lead calls for Bach to stay on beyond his current term as President, even though under the rules of the Olympic Charter he should step down in 2025 after serving the maximum 12-years in the role.

Bach has now flown to Montevideo where he is due to attend the celebrations for the centenary of the Uruguayan Olympic Committee (COU).

He had accepted an invitation from COU President Julio César Maglione, who hopes Bach’s visit will be the highlight of the activities planned to commemorate the 100th founding of the National Olympic Committee on October 26 in 1923.

As well as attending events organised by the COU, Bach is expected to meet Uruguay’s President Luis Lacalle Pou during his two-day visit today and tomorrow.

It is expected that the President will appoint Bach as an honorary citizen of Uruguay and accompany him to a gala dinner.