JUANCITO LEÓN, CANDIDATE TO WIN AT PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

Juan León has overcome adversity even in the hardest of times. The Para swimmer who will represent Peru at Lima 2019 in the S7 class, starting on August 25, overcame the feeling of losing his lower limbs in an accident five years ago to become one of the candidates to win a medal at the Parapan American Games.

“Juancito” got into the discipline encouraged by a coach that saw him in the street in 2016, while working in the public transportation. Since then and after months of demanding training, he has claimed medals in many competitions such as the bronze in 100 m breaststroke and the silver in 50 freestyle at the 2018 Open Loteria Caixa, held in Brazil. That same year, at the Barranquilla Open (Colombia), he won the gold in 400 m freestyle, silver in 100 freestyle and bronze in 50 freestyle.

“These Games will be epic for all Peruvian Para athletes and will become a public legacy for future generations with and without an impairment. I hope the people watching the competitions can see us as an example to overcome all hardships and choose sport as a tool to change our lives, just like me and my teammates who will participate in Lima 2019,” said the Para athlete.

His neighbors in Pachacútec, in the district of Ventanilla, promised to root for him at the Aquatic Center of the VIDENA, as he is a living example that perseverance can break any obstacle. Additionally, they have witnessed the dedication of “Juancito”, a man who feels that he runs in the water.

“We’ll face athletes that are known worldwide, but we won’t let our guard down because we have no excuses to not follow our dreams. We’ll put up a fight. I’ve trained hard to show the world what Peruvians are made of,” he added.

HISTORICAL DELEGATION AT LIMA 2019

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the highest record number in this type of continental competitions. In addition, it will participate in 16 disciplines, with the largest number of competitors in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, with 24 in each (12 in the women’s team and the same amount in the men’s team).

Other disciplines that were included in the sport program are boccia (4 Para athletes), football 5-a-side (10), football 7-a-side (14), goalball (12), judo (1), Para athletics (14), Para badminton (10), Para cycling (2), Para swimming (4), Para powerlifting (4), Para taekwondo (4), Para table tennis (4), wheelchair tennis (5), and shooting Para sport (3).

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for the matches, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are now available, and prices start at PEN 10.00. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale.

You can also be purchased your tickets online through the website lima2019.pe, where the competition schedules are detailed. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.