LUIS FONSI: “I’M HONORED TO ADD A RHYTMIC TOUCH TO THESE BEAUTIFUL GAMES”

The famous Puerto Rican singer, Luis Fonsi, will be one of the stars of the Pan American Games Opening Ceremony. Today, before singing his greatest hits this Friday at the National Stadium, he attended a press conference, where he said he was honored to be a part of Lima 2019.  

At the press conference, that gathered local and international media, the pop idol was accompanied by the president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, and the president of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic, who were happy that, thanks to his presence, the Games will be both a sports and musical celebration.  

Fonsi, who achieved world fame with his hit “Despacito,” confessed that he was honored and grateful to be part of the largest multi-sport event in the Americas, and described himself, not only as a sports fan, but also as a failed athlete.  

“I’m happy to be here, to receive such a beautiful welcome and to be able to come back to Lima to be part of such an important event. I’m glad that we can speak and sing in our language. I feel honored to accompany great Peruvian artists and add a rhythmic and romantic touch to these beautiful Games, for which thousands of athletes have been getting ready. Just like my team and I, who, for a long time, have been preparing all the details to make it a magical night,” he revealed.  

Neuhaus pointed out that having the presence of a world-famous singer such as Fonsi will turn Peru into the stage of the Americas.  

“We are already in Games mode: the athletes arrived, the horses arrived but, most importantly, Luis Fonsi arrived. There are 41 countries participating in these Games and it is estimated that 400 million people around the world will watch this ceremony, especially in the Americas. Not only is it a great opportunity to promote Peru in the best way possible, but also to showcase our ancient history,” he said.  

The president of Panam Sports expressed his gratitude and amazement with the work done by Peru and assured that, with the Opening Ceremony, Peruvians will start to truly live the passion of the Games.  

“On behalf of Panam Sports, I want to tell you that you made no mistakes, and that’s a great achievement when it comes to a commitment like this one. Starting on Friday, you will live that passion that every Peruvian should feel when they are proud of what they’re doing. The entire world will be watching. We wanted to make the ceremony more international because, in a way, it represents the inclusion of the 41 countries that will be part of this sports celebration. We thought carefully about who currently represented what we wanted to showcase, who could make us dance and sing, and we all agreed that that person was Luis Fonsi,” he declared.  

ABOUT LIMA 2019 

The Opening Ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium on July 26, 2019. This continental event will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations from the Americas. 

There will be 17 days of competitions and ceremonies between July 26 and August 11, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, among others. 

The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 61 disciplines, in which athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 21 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

The Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.