GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- The centerpiece of the Pan American Games in Mexico, an 8,500-seat stadium for track and field, has become a muddy mess less than two months before the event.

Poor planning, political infighting and an untimely rainy season has left the venue in Guadalajara in bad shape. The $28 million project has faced countless delays, and construction only began late in 2010.

Other venues are on schedule for completion before the event opens Oct. 14. But the track and field venue is lagging behind and only accessible by dirt trails.

With 42 countries competing in 36 sports, the Pan American Games is the biggest multi-sport event Mexico has hosted since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Construction began on the $28 million project in late 2010 and it was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Pan American Games. AP Photo/Bruno Gonzalez