She came here to win three medals and already has one. Cuba Omara Durand won her first gold medal in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, where she is one of the stars who came to compete alongside the best Para athletes of the continent.

Considered the fastest Para athlete in the world, Omara won by far the 200 m competition, category T12 (people with visual impairment), and added the first medal of the three she came looking for in Peru, since she still has to compete in the 400 m and 100 m events.

Omara Durand won the competition along with her guide Yuniol Kindelán, with a time of 23s67c, which equaled the Pan American record. “I am very happy to win this medal. The truth is that I looked for this first medal, but I feel that I could have done it in less time. We’re not used to run with a temperature as cold as the one in Lima, but Cubans can do anything,” said the champion very excited. The Cuban Para athlete will compete tomorrow in the 400 m competition with the illusion of winning her second gold medal.

The new VIDENA Athletics Stadium, built for the Lima 2019 Games, saw the first world record broken in an international competition, as an omen of success of the sports event organization.

Brazilian Thiago Paulino broke the world record in the Para athletics’ shot put event, F57 category.

At the start of the Para athletics competition, Paulino broke his own world record by throwing a shot put at a distance of 15m26c. 33-year-old Paulino competed in a category where Para athletes are required to be seated during the throw.

The Para athlete beat his own record at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium, which he had achieved recently on August 10, when he threw a shot put at a distance of 15m11c. He had already surpassed the 14m92cm record achieved by Polish Janusz Rokicki at the 2015 Doha World Cup.  With this mark, Paulino achieved, by far, the gold medal in the competition.

The Peruvian delegation obtained its first medal at the Parapan American Games during the first Para athletics competitions held at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA.  

The Lima 2019 ambassador Luis Sandoval reached the silver medal when he finished second in the 5000 m T11 category (athletes with visual impairment), with a time of 15:54.81.  

Ecuadorian Darwin Castro landed the gold with a time of 15:52.93. Peruvian Rosbil Guillén won the event, but he was disqualified because he did not comply with the competition rule 7.9, which says: “The pair must keep the tether attachment from the start to the end of the race” and the judges noticed that this rule was not followed.

Omara Durand was asked more than once what was the secret that made her the most important Para athlete in history. The Cuban athlete is always willing to share her success with the rest of her team. She loves sports just as much as she wants to make history. She has trained to make the Lima 2019 Games another victory in her career.

She was very moved when leaving her mark at the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA, always with a timid smile on her face. She created a synergy with her coach, Miriam Ferrer with whom she has been working for 13 years competing at the highest levels, improving her marks in T12 class (congenital visual impairment) which are even better than those obtained by some conventional athletes.

In these Parapan American Games, she hopes to be better with an historical triple gold in 100, 200 and 400m.  During her interview with Lima 2019, the fastest Para athlete in the world said that at 27, she still has many objectives, like a PhD in Psychology. She is an example of perseverance.

Has this being an important moment for you?

This has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will take this memory back home to Cuba with me. I enjoy all the events I go to but Lima 2019 will be in my heart forever.

You have so many victories that make you the best in history. Do you like it that way?

I feel like a Paralympic athlete who likes to run and I do it with all my heart and discipline to meet the goals I set myself with my team.

What is your source of inspiration in sports?

Since my daughter Erika was born in 2013, I learned that you can be an athlete and a mother without any problems.  She was raised at the athletics track of La Habana where I train everyday. Mis peers and my coach, Miriam Ferrer, are her family. She even calls her grandma! There is a strong union among us which makes me quite happy and motivates me to give my best!

Have you practiced other sports?

When I was little, I loved volleyball but I never got to practice it. I grew up watching the famous Caribbean women of the Olympic Games, champions in Barcelona 92, Atlanta 96 and Sidney 2000. I liked the winner attitude of the Cuban women, specially Mireya Luis who I have always admired.

After your marks and medals, what other goals do you have?

I always train to be the best. The medals and marks can not be planned, they can only be obtained. One of my dearest goals in life has been studying psychology but I was not able to reach it because I have been training since I was 13 years old. When I was 15 years old, I was already a three-time Parapan American champion. However, I am getting ready for my doctoral thesis which I will start when I finish with my sports career.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

If you want to attend Omara Durand's competitions from Saturday, August 24, you can purchase your tickets from 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city.

You may also get your tickets through Lima 2019 website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can also find the competitions schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers will be able to show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.

Lima 2019 will honor Cuban Omara Durand, one of the most prominent figures in athletics of the Paralympic movement. Tomorrow at 16:00, the fastest Para athlete in the world will put her imprints in cement at the VIDENA Hall of Fame, next to those of Jamaican Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the history of athletics.

The ceremony will be chaired by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President Carlos Neuhaus, the Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons, and the Chairman of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) Julio Ávila.

Durand was the first woman to break the 12-second barrier in the main Para athletics event; she also holds the world record at 11.40 seconds.  The Cuban athlete will compete in the 200m and 400m events of class T12 (athletes with visual impairment) to be held on August 24 at the Athletics Stadium of VIDENA.

Omara aims for her third triple-gold in these Games, after those landed at Rio 2007 and Toronto 2015. Peruvian fans will be able to enjoy the participation of this Olympic and world multi-medalist, one of the main figures to compete at Lima 2019.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for competitions, as well as for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are available with prices starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets are only available in the 11 authorized points of sale around the city.

Tickets can also be purchased online through the official website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can find all the competition schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.

“The time has come to show and put into practice all that we have learned”. That was the beginning of the conversation with Carlos Felipa, our Para athlete who is already prepared - as the good soldier - for the start of his competitions in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

At age 37, Felipa already feels what his second Parapan American Games will be. “How do I feel? I am excited to do this in my hometown, and I thank fate for letting me fight for my country once more”, the Para athlete added.

The latest Pan American Games with its excellent outcome and the support of the fans leave the Para athletes greatly motivated and, also, with a challenge. “As I always say, the Pan American Games athletes showed us a great example of legacy, but besides the infrastructure, the victory they have shown us will be timeless. It will never disappear, and most importantly it is a motivation for us, the Para athletes, to give our best in this Lima 2019 Games”, he added.

Felipa placed forth in the 100 meters test at Toronto 2015. In Rio 2016 he also participated in the 100 meters test, as well as long jump.

In Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, the retired Peruvian Army officer will participate in shot put and has trained a lot to reach the podium in Lima 2019 and throw as far as possible. “I promise to give my best, I am ready for this new battle and I want to win”, he added.

Para athletics will be held in the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA from August 24 to 28 and tickets are available through the website www.lima2019.pe or at the authorized points of sale.

Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines from August 23 to September 1.

In the past three editions of the Parapan American Games, Brazil’s dominance on the podium has been remarkable. Since Rio 2007, the “green and yellow” delegation landed first on the medal table with great performances in disciplines such as, football 5-a-side, Para table tennis, Para swimming and Para athletics, always showing an extraordinary level.

Lima 2019 will welcome more than 30 world Olympic medalists, whose passion towards sports helped them to cope with society, no matter the obstacles. As of tomorrow, five of those stars will come to Peru to show that one can succeed with determination and courage. Find out more about them here:

1. Daniel Dias (Para swimming Class S5)

At the age of 16, he showed interest in the sport watching Clodoaldo Silva’s events on TV at Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Ever since, despite his congenital malformation on his upper arms and right leg, he trained hard to become the greatest Para swimmer ever. As a matter of fact, he received the well-known Laureus World Sports Award in 2009, 2013 and 2016, which are considered the “Oscars of sports”. He has claimed 14 gold medals at the Paralympic Games (from Perkin 2008 to Rio 2016), 27 Parapan American Games (from Rio 2007 to Toronto 2015), and 30 world championships, another reason to follow him in Aquatic Center of the VIDENA.

2. Joana Silva (Para swimming Class S5)

She was only 10 years old when she took up swimming due to medical advice. However, that was just the beginning of her brilliant career. Even though Joana was born with achondroplasia, a growing condition caused by genetic mutations, it did not stop her from becoming the number one. She took four gold medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and butterfly in her first Parapan American Games. She went on to win medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and Rio 2016, as well as the Montreal 2013, Glasgow 2015 and Mexico 2017 IPC Swimming World Championships. At Toronto 2015, she bagged five gold medals.

3. Verónica Hipólito (Para athlete Class T37)

She used to compete as a regular athlete in the Olympic cycle at the age of 6, but a cerebrovascular accident partially affected the movement of her right limbs. Regardless, Verónica did not quit the sport and now represents Brazil in many world Para athletics events. In 2013, she made her debut at the Lyon World Championship (France), taking a gold medal in 200 meters and one silver in 100 meters. At the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, she reached the highest spot on the podium in 100, 200 and 400 meters, not to mention a silver medal in long jump. One year later, she snatched the silver in 100 and bronze in 400 meters at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. A self-made champion for life.

4. Lucas Prado (Para athlete Class T11)

The athlete lost his sight in 2002 due to retinal detachment in an accident. Overcoming that burden, he took up football 5-a-side and goalball, but it was not until 2006 that he embraced Para athletics, a discipline that got him impressive achievements. Consequently, he won gold in 100, 200 and 400 meters at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games, repeating his success at Tokyo 2008 Paralympic Games, Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games and Christchurch World Championship also in 2011. He would then win two silvers at London 2012 the next year and, at Toronto 2015, he claimed the gold in 4x100 relay and the silver in 100 meters. His life has always been related to sporting success.

5. Football 5-a-side Team

The squad led by Ricardinho will show up as the best team in the history of football for athletes with vision impaired. The “Canarinhos” will try to claim their fourth title at the Parapan American Games, after winning all past editions since 2007. Currently, this generation owns four consecutive gold medals at the Paralympic Games since Athens 2004, as well as five titles at the world championships and two at the sub-championships, leaving behind great contenders such as Argentina, China and Spain. An incredible show is guaranteed at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center with these amazing football players who will teach us a great life lesson.

Get your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets or at any authorized point of sales. Ticket prices start at PEN 10.00. Also, there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Additionally, 13 Para sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

A total of 139 Para athletes will represent Peru, the largest number in this kind of continental events. Sixteen disciplines are included in the sports program. Sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball are the sports with the most competitors, with 24 each one (12 in the women’s team and 12 in the men’s team).

On Friday, August 23, Peru will be able to enjoy a wonderful multi-sport experience during the Parapan American Games, where 1890 of the best athletes from the Americas will be participating.

On Saturday, August 17 a Para sport festival will take place at Plaza Manco Cápac, located in the center of the district of La Victoria.

From 10:00 all the spectators will be able to watch the exhibitions of four Para sports that will be part of the Parapan American Games. They are the following: Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, football 5-a-side (where only the goalkeeper is the one without a visual impairment) and sitting volleyball.

All spectators will have the chance to enjoy some recreational games right in the center of Plaza Manco Cápac. Pan American Games medalists as John Trebejo, Carlos Lam, Saida Salcedo, Thalía Mallqui, Claudia Suárez, Luis Miranda and Alexia Sotomayor will be attending too.

Milco, the Games' mascot who earned the affection of Peruvian families, will also be participating.

There will be a stand selling tickets to attend the Parapan American Games ceremonies and the different competitions with the best Para athletes of the continent. No more excuses to miss the greatest multi-sport event in the Americas.

THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

1890 Para athletes (1247 men and 643 women) from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines in these Parapan American Games. The Peruvian delegation will consist of 139 Para athletes participating in 16 out of 17 sports.

Parapan American Games will be qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports.

With high hopes and expectation for its performance in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, Uruguay will present its best five athletes for the biggest multi-sport event of the Americas, to be held from August 23 to September 1.

Uruguay will be represented by Henry Borges in the 60 kg judo category, Gonzalo Dutra in Para swimming, Eduardo Dutra in Para athletics, Carmelo Milán in shooting Para sport and Gonzalo Acosta in Para table tennis. Eduardo Dutra holds the national record in 800 m, with 1 minute, 50 seconds and 80 hundredth. He will be competing in that same event in Lima 2019.

Gonzalo Dutra will compete in 50 m and 100 m freestyle and 100 m breaststroke at the Aquatics Center of VIDENA, where the Para swimming competitions will be held. Carmelo Milán will compete in the 10m air rifle prone and 10 m air rifle standing events, at the Las Palmas Shooting Range in Surco.

Henry Borges will compete in the -60 kg judo category, for athletes with visual impairment. Borges is an experienced athlete that also competed in the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games. Judo competitions will be held at the Sports Center 2 in VIDENA.

LIMA 2019 TICKET SALES

To attend the competitions, such as Para table tennis, Para swimming, judo, shooting Para sports or Para athletics, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Parapan American Games, get your tickets, starting at 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at ten Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city. Learn more about their location:

Tickets can be also purchased online at lima2019.pe/ Tickets, where you will also find the Sports Calendar with the detailed competition schedule. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.

THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

In these Parapan American Games, 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women) The Peruvian delegation will present 139 athletes that will compete in 16 out of 17 sports.

Competitions will take place in 14 venues from August 22 to September 1, 2019. This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports event of the Americas and the most significant sporting event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games will give quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

About IPC and APC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of the Paralympic movement. Its objective is to organize the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation of nine sports, in order to supervise and coordinate the World Championships and other competitions.

The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was founded in August 1997 with the aim of creating a Para sport governing body for the Americas. Since 2007, the Parapan American Games are held by the city that hosts the Pan American Games.

About the National Paralympic Association of Peru

The National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) is the governing body of the Paralympic sports movement in Peru. Since 2016, it promotes individual and group Para sports participation. The association also works to transform society by promoting Para sports, as part of the legacy that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will leave.