The 14-year-old Peruvian Para athlete Rodrigo Santillán has made his dreams come true so far after winning bronze in the 100 meters backstroke S2 event tonight. Peru won its first medal in this discipline and the seventh at the Parapan American Games. The venue for swimming has been one of the most crowded in Lima 2019.

Santillán already had an outstanding performance yesterday, when he finished fourth in the 50 meters backstroke event, only a hundredths away from the podium. This event was a lesson learned for the Peruvian Para swimmer to improve technical aspects tonight.

A polyneuropathy brought Santillán closer to swimming, when he was only twelve years old. That healing method to treat the limb motor impairment made him stronger and now he is a talent in Peruvian sport. Rodrigo reached the third place on the podium with a time of 2:35.27, improving his qualification time of 2:58.14.

Santillán competes again in the preliminary heats of the 50 meter freestyle on Friday at 22:52. The Peruvian athlete will look for a new final. Additionally, Santillán will finish his participation in Lima 2019 with the 100 m freestyle final on Saturday, at 19:07.

CHEER HIM ON FROM THE GRANDSTAND

To the see the other competitions of Santillán, you can buy tickets with prices start at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens

and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office of the VIDENA and at the 11 points of sale around the city.

Tickets can be also purchased online through lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find 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.

It is hard to measure the verve that Dunia Felices puts into Para swimming with the Lima 2019 results. It is that dedication that allows fans to identify, in her, the desire of our Para athletes to stand out in an event of the highest level, such as the Parapan American Games.

In fact, the Lima 2019 Ambassador swam in her second final at the VIDENA Aquatic Center and managed to improve aspects in the 100 m freestyle event. “I’m happy because I improved several technical issues. I don’t know if you saw me smile, it was because I was able to do a flip turn, which I’ve been practicing for a month, and that helped me to slide better in the water and improve in the last meters,” she added.

Dunia finished seventh in the event, with a time of 1 minute, 49 seconds and 66 hundredths, more than two minutes faster than the morning preliminaries. “It feels amazing to have the public on my side. Hearing my name and my country’s name has given me a great energy and I value that, because some people even told me they have missed work to come and see my competitions. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Dunia.

The Para swimmer will still compete in the 50 m butterfly and 200 m freestyle events, and she has put all her expectation in the last one. “I’m more of a long-distance swimmer, so I believe I will do better in the 200 m freestyle event. I might be able to reach the first places and improve my personal records. This experience is very useful to me, since I am very new at this type of events that allow me to improve my performance,” she mentioned.

In addition, she points out that the Parapan American Games will be a vehicle for inclusion. “Lima 2019 has helped to raise awareness on our society about us, so that private companies realize that we can work together to improve the conditions of people with impairments in sports. This is a starting point for this process to continue and we enhance the level of Para sports,” she concluded.

CHEER HER ON FROM THE GRANDSTANDS

To attend the competitions where Dunia will be present, you may purchase your tickets starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

 Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices in VIDENA and at the 11 authorized points of sale throughout the city.

They can also be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will find the detailed 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.

A twist of fate. We were all surprised last Saturday when Rosbil Guillén lost the gold medal in the 5000 m race, after crossing first the finish line. His guide made a mistake and he lost the medal, but only four days later, he took a long awaited revenge. This time, he took his precautions. Without hesitations, with no mistakes, fully focused and passionate, Rosbil Guillén came back to his feet, and in a great way.

And as it is with twists and turns of life and sports, he crowned a great victory tonight with the first gold for Peru, thanks to a mistake by Ecuadorian Darwin Castro, who crossed the finish line in front of Guillén.

This way, the “Wonder” Guillén had his revenge and won gold in the 1500 m T11 category event (Para athletes with visual impairment running with guides), to forget the disappointment of losing the medal in the 5000 m when his guide lost him before crossing the finish line.

As Rosbil Guillén acknowledged, he ran this time without making any mistakes, and he placed second in a tough race, with 4 m 23 s 88 c, his best mark for 1500 m where he won the sixth medal for Peru. However, seconds after finishing the event, the judges disqualified the Ecuadorian athlete Castro, and so Guillén reached the top of the podium.

His guide, Rio Ferdinand Cereceda, named after the English footballer who played in the national team and Manchester United in the 2000’s, did not make any mistake and ran along with Rosbil without letting him go until the end, and so Peru received its best moment of this Parapan American Games.

“I’m really happy, and even more because I lost the gold in the 5000 m. This time I played and competed fairly. This medal is for all Peruvians. I’m grateful to God for his blessings and to my family that supported me the whole time to get this medal. Go Peru,” said the Peruvian Para athlete very excited. In this same event, the Peruvian Luis Sandoval placed fourth.

Peru wins again a gold medal in this kind of events after 12 years, when at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games, Jimmy Eulert won three golds in Para swimming in 50 m freestyle, 100 m freestyle and 50 m backstroke events.

Guillén's gold adds up to the medals won by Carlos Felipa (silver), Jorge Arcela (silver), Carlos Sandoval (silver), Efraín Sotacuro (bronze) and Fred Villalobos (bronze).

Meanwhile, as Lima 2019 Para athletics competitions are closing, Peruvians are showing good performances in their respective events. Jesús Castillo with 12s50c and José Luis Casas with 12s72c achieved their best personal marks in the 100 m T 64 competition (athletes competing with prostheses in lower limbs or with different lower limbs length.) Kenny Pacheco also scored a personal best in shot put F55 (athletes compete in sitting position), with a distance of 8 m 05 cm.

TICKETS ON SALE

To see the brilliant Para athletes of the Americas in action at the Parapan American Games, buy your tickets starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50 % discount for minors, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at tickets booth at VIDENA (gates 1 and 10) and at the 11 points of sale in Lima.

Tickets can also be purchased online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find the sports calendar with detailed 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.

Prime Minister Salvador del Solar praised the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Organizing Committee. “Lately we have been receiving a lot of news related to our problems but, in the last few days, thanks to the efforts of the Pan American Games, that news has been replaced with incredible news,” he said while speaking to a group of young students and Lima 2019 volunteers.

Del Solar highlighted the work of the Lima 2019 volunteer team at the “El País que imaginamos” conference, which took place at the Bicentenario Fair located in Parque de la Exposición, Culturaymi venue. “Since we are here and there is a large group of Parapan American Games volunteers, I would like to ask for a round of applause.”

Del Solar recalled fondly that he “was lucky enough to be invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the over 16 thousand volunteers.” He also said that visitors from all of the Americas have applauded our opening and closing ceremonies, that have proven to be of “Olympic category.”

He recalled when Peru agreed to host the Lima 2019 Games and “a great number of wishes and efforts aligned for the event that we proudly celebrate today to become a reality.”

Prime Minister Del Solar did not hesitate to take photos with the enthusiastic Lima 2019 volunteer team, who gifted him a token that represents them.

Over eight thousand people, including children and teenagers in school, have benefited from the Solidarity Ticket Program developed by the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Organizing Committee.

In this context, the students who benefited from this program were able to attend a wide range of amazing Para sports competitions, where the most outstanding Para athletes of Peru and the Americas compete against each other to go down in history and attain glory.

Thus, a value chain is generated and its main link is the public schools that, thanks to their participation, significantly improve their respective curriculums and give more children the unforgettable opportunity to be spectators in the greatest Para sports event of the continent.

On their part, the Peruvian and foreign Para athletes received a priceless reward that will be forever imprinted in their lives: the hospitality, cheers, applause and unconditional support of students who recognized them as perfect representatives of the Paralympic values.

These passionate Para athletes became role models to thousands of children, who learned that, in life, everything can be achieved on the basis of courage and determination, the guiding principles of Paralympism.

In this sense, through this commendable initiative, the goal of Lima 2019 is for the Paralympic values of equality, inspiration, courage and determination to inspire more children in the country and make them awareness-raising agents for an inclusive society that recognizes and provides greater opportunities for people with impairments.

The world-renowned Peruvian creole singer and musical interpreter, Eva Ayllón, will give her voice to the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, as she will be part of the Closing Ceremony.

The so-called “Reina del Landó” is currently considered one of the greatest icons of Peruvian music and culture for the world, with an uninterrupted career of 49 years. For this reason, it is hoped that her presentation at the Closing Ceremony fills the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA with Peruvian identity and pride.

Recently, the Latin Recording Academy—which awards the Latin Grammy—announced that it will pay tribute to Eva Ayllón, along with other music stars, with the “Musical Excellence” award during a private ceremony and lunch at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas. It is worth mentioning that Eva Ayllón has been nominated nine times to the Latin Grammy.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee will announce the completes list of artists and creative team that will give life to the Closing Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, September 1, at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA starting at 19:00. This will be an unforgettable show that will give a grand finale to the most important multi-sports event in the continent.

Ram Vijay, from India, is one of the coaches of the Peruvian Para badminton team that is getting ready to collect victories for their country as of tomorrow, when they start their participation in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

He has been accredited as a first-level coach by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He was also in charge of the Badminton Academy “Play to Learn” in the Arab Emirates and worked as coach at the University of Calicut and as Head of Coaches at the Malabar Badminton Academy.

This experienced coach has been living in Peru for a year and a half now, sharing his knowledge in this sport with the Peruvian Para badminton team and obtaining amazing achievements.

Ram Vijay is sure that the Peruvian Para badminton team will collect many medals during their participation in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, which will last until September 1.

He stressed the team members, including Jesús Salvá, Pilar Jáuregui and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, are training hard and will definitely pick up several medals. The Lima 2019 Ambassadors Pilar and Pedro Pablo are perfect role models for all Para athletes.

The Indian coach has never taken Spanish lessons, but he is learning the language little by little, by listening to the Para athletes and the different people he interacts with every day. He is very happy in Peru and plans to stay as coach of the Para badminton team for another two years.

WHAT IS PARA BADMINTON?

It is badminton adapted to people with impairment. Athletes are classified in categories in order to have a balance according to the level of impairment. It is played half-court depending on the category.

It is worth mentioning that all Para athletes are excited to compete as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has included this sport in the sports program of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The IPC has already published a list with the first 16 sports that will be featured at the next Paralympic Games, including Para badminton.

Lima 2019 will mark a milestone at the Pan American and Parapan American Games. After being recognized as the best-organized multi-sports event of the continent in history, Lima 2019 is now considered the event with the best accessible transport system of the Americas.  

 “This is the largest accessible transport operation ever held in Peru. We have transferred Para athletes, technical personnel, judges, media and international delegates on a daily basis through a fleet of vehicles, including cars, vans and buses," emphasized Álvaro Castro, head of the Lima 2019 Transportation Area.

He estimated that during the first five days of Parapan American competitions, 4000 wheelchair users have been transferred and he projected that the number will surpass 10,000 trips when the Games end.

“This marks a milestone in the history of our country in terms of accessible transportation and we are very proud to take part in Lima 2019 and achieve this milestone for our city and Peru,” he said.

EQUIPPED AND ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

Álvaro Castro said that 210 buses will be available to transport Para athletes, 70 of which can be adapted for eight wheelchairs each. While 140 vehicles are adaptable for two wheelchairs.

“And we have 33 vans adapted for three wheelchairs, fully equipped, which facilitates the transfer of people with an impairment,” he added, pointing out that the general perception about Para athletes transportation has been very positive.

“Transport operations are also marking a milestone in the history of the Games, not only in Peru, but also at an international level, because of the comments we have received from technical delegates and the athletes themselves, which fills us with pride as an organization and a country," he said.

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The Parapan American Games are in their final stage and this long weekend, which starts on August 29, will be the best chance to enjoy the last days of the event that has left a permanent mark in Peru’s sports history.

The experience of watching the competitions will, of course, be a win-win: our Para athletes will have the warm support of the public, while the public will be filled with motivation and pride when they see them triumph.

Guide for the Long Weekend

There are several Para sports that you can experience as a family, inside the impressive competition venues that, after the Games, will remain as a legacy for all Peruvians.

The competitions include the women’s wheelchair basketball semifinals, which will take place tomorrow with Canada versus Brazil and USA versus Argentina, in Sports Center 1 of VIDENA, starting at 18:30.

The boccia competition will take place during the morning session in the Villa El Salvador Sports Center, between 09:00 and 15:00. The Peruvian team will be competing thanks to Dean Tierry Acosta, Carlos Cano, María Cecilia Pancca and Javier Soto.

Boccia—an adaptation of the ancient Italian game ‘bocce’, played since the times of the Roman Empire—is just as much a sports event as it is a cultural one. Take part in these competitions from Thursday, August 29, to Sunday, September 1.

During the weekend, a good option is to cheer on Peruvian representative and flagbearer, Angélica Espinoza, in Para taekwondo (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao). The women’s and men’s competition, as well as the qualifiers, will take place this Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. The medals will be decided on Friday and Saturday, starting at 15:00 until 20:00.

Another interesting option is wheelchair tennis. The defining matches will be contested starting tomorrow at Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición, with the participation of the best tennis players in the world, such as Argentinian Gustavo Fernández. The winners will be decided between tomorrow and Friday, the final day of this Para sport.

Peruvian Support

Other Peruvians who need our support are Dunia Felices, Rodrigo Santillán and Harrison Linares, who will compete in Para swimming (VIDENA) until August 31, as well as the well-known and beloved Lima 2019 ambassadors, Pedro Pablo Vinatea and Pilar Jáuregui, who will compete in Para badminton (VIDENA) and will fight for the gold from August 29 to September 1. The competitions will take place in Sports Center 3 of VIDENA, with a good chance that our Para athletes will make it to the podium.

Another good option is goalball (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao), the only sport created specifically for people with a visual impairment. Support our fellow Peruvians until Saturday during two daily sessions (10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 20:00). The ranking will be determined in the men’s semifinals, starting tomorrow.

Buy Your Tickets

Tickets for Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions can be purchased at the points of sale located in the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco and Metro and Wong supermarkets in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel and Surco. 

You can also get your tickets on the Lima 2019 website www.lima2019.pe or Teleticket website https://teleticket.com.pe/lima2019.

Tickets start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for people under the age of 18 and over the age of 60, as well as people with an impairment.

Additionally, if you live in one of the districts where a Lima 2019 Parapan American Games sports venue is located, you can purchase general tickets for the various competitions for only PEN 5.

All you have to do is show your DNI at the ticket booths of the venues in Callao, Villa El Salvador, Villa María del Triunfo, San Luis, San Miguel, Santiago de Surco and Jesús María.

The best 67 Para cyclists of the Americas will compete in time trial and individual road events at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, which will be held at the Costa Verde beach circuit in two stages: August 30 and September 1. This circuit will be closed from 22:00 the day before. The route reconnaissance will be held on August 29.

The audience will be able to enjoy both events and support Para athletes, who will compete in men and women categories to achieve their goal. The route will cross six districts of the Peruvian coastline: from Magdalena to Chorrillos.

A total of 47 men and 20 women will participate. The Peruvian team comprises Job Israel Hilario Rimas and Yuber Pichihua Pérez.

Route Reconnaissance

The Lima 2019 Games Organizing Committee and the Peruvian National Police (PNP) reported that the route reconnaissance will take place on August 29. Therefore, the Costa Verde beach circuit will be closed to vehicles from 07:00 to 13:00. The closing zone will be from the access to Av. Universitaria to the access to Av. Huaylas and all the accesses in between.

Time Trial Event

The time trial event will be held on August 30, so this route will be closed from Thursday 29 at 22:00 to Friday 30 at 22:00.  The event starting and finishing point will be the Costa Verde San Miguel venue, which is located near the exit to Av. Sucre until Los Pavos beach in Barranco, where athletes will have to make a U-turn and return to the Costa Verde venue in Magdalena.

The competition route includes the Magdalena, San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranco districts.

For the development of this competition, the Costa Verde beach circuit will be closed for vehicles from August 29 at 22:00 to August 30 at 22:00 from the access to Av. Universitaria to the access to Av. Huaylas and all the corresponding accesses in between.

Individual Road Race

The individual road race event will be held on Sunday, September 1. The competition will start at 08:00.  The route starting point will be the Costa Verse Magdalena venue to Pampilla beach in Miraflores, where athletes will have to make a U-turn and return to the Costa Verde venue.

Therefore, the Costa Verde beach circuit will be closed to vehicles from August 31 at 22:00 to September 1 at 22:00 from Av. Universitaria to Malecón Balta and all the corresponding accesses.