SCHOOLCHILDREN START ATHLETICS COMPETITIONS IN STAGE BUILT FOR LIMA 2019 GAMES

The Lima 2019 legacy is present. A total of 192 students began their participation in the athletics events of the Peruvian School Sports Games at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA.

The opening day, last Monday morning, included different sports events like pole vault, long jump, shot put, hammer throw, besides the competitions of speed of 110 m hurdles, 400 meters and the 1500 and 3000 m women’s and men’s long distance events.

Andy Martinez, Lima 2019 Ambassador, attended this first day and praised the fact that the infrastructure is used for a school event. “It’s the best because children are very motivated to use a world-class track. This is what we were looking for, that the sport can be popularized thanks to Lima 2019,” said the outstanding athlete.

The VIDENA stage will not only be used for athletics events. On Thursday 26, there will be Para athletics competitions for women and men such as 80 meters and long jump events in T20 (intellectual) and T11, 12 and 13 (visual), as well as shot put and 5x80m relay event, both in T20 (intellectual).

“I think it’s spectacular to include Para sports; all of them are important. Just the fact that they can come to see the competitions will encourage many people to practice sports, and the support is the most important thing,” stressed Martínez.

Gold medal

Gian Pierre Cárdenas, representative of the Alfred Binet School in Arequipa, was one of the first athletes to claim the gold medal after placing first in 1500 meters. “I feel very excited and happy after winning, when I passed the finish line I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was a dream,” he said.

The young athlete confessed that in a stage like VIDENA “I can fly, I feel that I can keep running.” In addition, he left a message to the younger athletes: “That they always train, because every effort is rewarded and I want to reach the World Youth Championship next year, that’s my goal, I want to compete in the 2000m obstacles,” said Cárdenas.

Admission is completely free and competitions begin at 8:30. There will be interesting competitions and the Lima 2019 legacy will be enjoyed until Friday, September 27.