CARLOS NEUHAUS: “LIMA 2019 WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS THANKS TO ALL OF US”

“Peru had never done anything like Lima 2019 before, but it was a complete success thanks to all of us,” said the President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee (COPAL), Carlos Neuhaus, in the Parapan American Games Closing Ceremony held at the National Sports Village (VIDENA).

In an emotional farewell speech, the COPAL President highlighted that the people exceeded all the expectations he had a few days ago, when he mentioned that everyone would embrace and cheer for the Parapan American Games, just as we did for the Pan American Games, and that we would celebrate the incredible Para athletes that came to our country.

 “We have welcomed the Games and incredible athletes like no other city has done before. Thank you for believing in us, for your support and your passion. Tomorrow, we will look towards the future. It will be a bright future for Peru, united by these Games, inspired by these athletes and by what we have accomplished at Lima 2019: a legacy for everyone,” he claimed.

Neuhaus described all Para athletes of the Americas as extraordinary and thanked them for opening the hearts of all Peruvians and fascinating the continent with their display of skills, which many people can only dream of, and with an example of values that we should all strive to.

“Tonight, we celebrate one amazing month (August) filled with sports that ends today, with the best and most important exhibition of Para athletes Peru has ever seen,” he added.

Also, he stressed that the Para athletes have fostered values like determination, equality, inspiration and courage, and have inspired us more than ever. “You have taught us to face adversities. From today, there should be no excuses; we should exceed our limits,” he said very excited.

At these Games, 175 records have been broken, and nine of them are new world records. Peru has won 15 medals, beating the numbers from all previous editions. In total, Para athletes in 13 Para sports have qualified to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Neuhaus was also very satisfied because Lima 2019 has sold more tickets than any other Parapan American Games in history. Also, almost 170 thousand people have attended competitions, more than at all the previous Parapan American Games. Twelve thousand tickets have gone to children in vulnerable situations, who benefited from our “solidary ticket” program, and thanks to that, they were part of this sports celebration.

He also thanked the Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra, ministers, the Lima Mayor Jorge Muñoz, congressmen, mayors, and governors of Peru. Additionally, the COPAL President gave thanks to the National Police, the Armed Forces, the Department of Protection of Citizen’s Rights, and the sponsors who made these Games happen.

Likewise, he thanked the extraordinary volunteers, who were the best representatives of Lima 2019 and the best hosts of the world; the excellent team that worked on this great project, because they gave it all to make this a complete success; the citizens of Lima; and the fellow Peruvians. “Let’s go, Peru! Let’s keep playing!” he ended.