PARAPAN AMERICAN TORCH ARRIVES AT HUACA MATEO SALADO

At the end of the second day of its tour, the Parapan American torch lit up one of Lima's ancestral places: Huaca Mateo Salado, located in Pueblo Libre, a historic district both in pre-Hispanic and Republican times.

To arrive at that point on its last stretch, the Parapan American Torch used a parallel route to what in ancient times was known as the Qhapaq Ñan: the road that connected this administrative center to the Maranga center.

The closing ceremony of the torch relay featured President of Lima 2019 organizing committee Carlos Neuhaus, Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, Mayor of Pueblo Libre Stephen Yuri Haas, the Director of the Ministry of Culture’s Proyecto Integral "Mateo Salado del Qhapaq Ñan" Patricia Manrique Orillo, and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, Para badminton athlete who was the torchbearer in the last stretch, lighting the cauldron located in the huaca.

Surrounded by the cheering voices and applause, the speeches given on the stage located at the foothills of the archaeological complex were translated into sign language for the audience.

“The most exciting part was this last corner, the last 100 meters, where you made me feel like a champion already. Probably, many Peruvians have never come into contact with Para sports before and I want to encourage you to do it because it's not only exciting to watch Peruvians compete, but also a huge source of inspiration for everybody,” said De Vinatea.

After lighting the cauldron, the flame was put in a golden lantern which will be used tomorrow to light the main cauldron during the Games Opening Ceremony.

“Thank you so much for being here. One day I'll come here and tour this amazing huaca, it is worth it. Let’s promote it intensively so it becomes one of the landmarks of our capital and a must for every tourist visiting our country,” stated Neuhaus.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Lima, who had received the Parapan American torch at the Plaza Mayor of Lima just hours before, talked about the present instead, emphasizing that Lima 2019 has written an important chapter in the contemporary history of Peru.

“What we are living is a special historic event. Today, it was my turn to carry the Parapan American torch and you cannot imagine the joy of the people and the children. The Parapan American Games have a very important meaning due to the participation of persons with an impairment. That alone makes them worthy of a special place.”