PERU PRESENTS HISTORIC DELEGATION FOR LIMA 2019 PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

During an emotional afternoon in which many life stories were shared, the biggest Peruvian delegation in the history of the Parapan American Games was presented. The National Paralympic Association of Peru presented the 139 Para athletes who will compete to make it to the highest of the podium at Lima 2019. The excitement of the Games will continue, since August 22, in the most important multi-sports event in the Americas.

Lucha Villar, head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, said that she is pleased with the participation of this group of Para athletes, who inspire Peruvian young people. The opening ceremony will be held on August 23 at the National Stadium; while the competition calendar starts one day before with Para table tennis at Sports Center 3 - VIDENA.

“I’ve witnessed everything they've worked to be here. Each of them has a story of personal overcoming, and we want to write a book that shows the opportunities they should have in our society. You will be our inspiration during these days that Lima will become the capital of the Parapan American Games,” said Villar.

Peru will participate in 16 Para sports; sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball have the highest number of Para athletes, 24 in each team (12 in the women’s national team and 12 in the men’s.)   The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, also highlighted the determination of Para athletes.

“I’m sure that, as in the Pan American Games, this will be the most successful Games for our Para athletes. I’ve seen many of you training in different conditions. From Lima 2019 on, you will have suitable places to practice your disciplines, and national and international competitions will be held there to have a higher number of Para athletes qualified,” said Neuhaus.

Other disciplines present in Lima 2019 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).

“It’s something never seen before. Gathering 139 Para athletes for such an important event is very emotional. Now I remember that only 6 of us made it to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and it proves that we have grown substantially in Para sports, this gives us the chance to be more visible and we expect that the Peruvian fans go cheer on us,” said Para athlete Juan Luis Casas.