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PARAPAN AMERICAN MEDALISTS RECEIVE WELL-DESERVED DISTINCTION AT GOVERNMENT PALACE
Fifteen Para athletes were decorated in the rank of “Comendador” by the president of Peru, Martín Vizcarra.
Lima 2019 will be the fondest memory for the Para athletes who, thanks to the Parapan American Games, were recognized by a country that valued their efforts to bring joy to all Peruvians. This morning, the 15 Para athletes who had the honor of winning a medal received well-deserved recognition.
The Government Palace opened its doors so that President Martín Vizcarra could award a distinction to the Para athletes, in the rank of “Comendador,” under Supreme Resolution No. 141-2019-RE. This decoration was awarded to the gold medalists: Pilar Jáuregui (Para badminton, WH2), Angélica Espinoza (Para taekwondo, K44 -49 kg), Pedro Pablo de Vinatea (Para badminton, SL3), Rosbil Guillén (Para athletics, 1500 m T11) and Israel Hilario (Para cycling road, men’s time trial C1-2).
The Para athletes who obtained a silver medal were also awarded this decoration: Luis Sandoval (Para athletics, 5000 m T11), Carlos Felipa (Para athletics, shot put F63) and Jorge Arcela (shooting Para sport, mixed 10 m air rifle prone SH1). The same distinction was awarded to the bronze medalists: Noemí Vásquez (Para powerlifting, -50 kg), Efraín Sotacuro (Para athletics, 1500 m T46), Héctor Salvá (Para badminton, SS63), Rodrigo Santillán (Para swimming, men’s 100 m backstroke S2 (S1)), William Fernández (Para taekwondo, K44 -61kg), Fred Villalobos (Judo -81 kg) and Dunia Felices (Para swimming, women’s 50 m butterfly S5 (S1-S4)). Peru obtained five gold, three silver and seven bronze medals at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.
On behalf of the Para athletes, Pedro Pablo de Vinatea gave thanks for the support they received to achieve good results. “On behalf of all athletes and Para athletes, I want to thank the generous support of the Peruvian Government. These medals will remain in our hearts. We’re proud to inspire our fellow Peruvians. Now they recognize and congratulate us. We’re respected and admired. They now see us as highly competitive athletes. We were able to put on a great show and we’re Peruvian winners. From now on there’s no turning back. We’ve made the whole country proud. And we want the Government to continue support Para sports. On behalf of all sports, thank you very much, Mr. President,” said a moved De Vinatea during his speech.
The Para athletes and the president of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, Lucha Villar, gave President Martín Vizcarra replicas of the Lima 2019 medals and the Peruvian delegation’s jacket as a thank you.