The Organizing Committee of the 2003 Pan American Games announced the start of the construction of the athletes’ village on 20 February. The committee says that the Consorcio Panamericano, entrusted with the village, has committed to complete the apartment complex by 1 April 2003. The committee also announced that lawyer Raul Barrientos will join as executive vice president. "I have the commitment from the President to work 24 hours a day, and I will come through," he said. He is expected to be the liaison of the committee with President Mejia. The new members of the organizing committee are: Jorge Ivan Ramirez (president of Codetel), Jose de Jesus Vargas, engineer Manuel Troncoso Cuesta (Banco Nacional de la Vivienda), Jaime Dorlin, Alejandro Asmar Sanchez.
