Friendship as the driving force of an entire staging and courage, equality, inspiration and determination, as the Parapan American values, are the main characteristics that will contain the spectacular Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, tomorrow, August 23, starting at 19:00 in the National Stadium.

There will be 50 people with impairments who will be part of the Peruvian crew that consists of 500 members, all starring in this show of lights, color, sound and, above all, vibrant sensations.

Friendship (Olympic value), as the central axis of the presentation, will show us two minors, separated by different circumstances, who meet up again thanks to sport and their courage, in the middle of a set of situations that highlights the rich and millennial Peruvian history. As part of the proposal, Peruvians will find familiar motives to be proud of, such as the Nazca Lines or the quipus.

All this will become more visible when the more than 1800 Para athletes, sitting in front of the stage as spectators, are incorporated into the stage as active protagonists of the ceremony.

This emotional story will reach high levels of emotion when combined in a perfect way with the spectacle of lights, music and costumes that will make completely understandable what we are perceiving: pure Peru.

WORLD-CLASS SHOW

Not only the presence of the renowned Spanish creative director Hansel Cereza, but also that of his outstanding compatriot and mass choreographer, Barbarana Pons, musical director José “Chick” Aguirre, and the tropical fusion band Bareto ensures a top-level show that will remain in the hearts of the world.

It is enough to remember that José “Chick” Aguirre has musicalized great Peruvian cinematographic hits such as “Guerrero” and “Siete Semillas”.  As for Pepe Corzo, costume director, he has worked with 500 colorful suits made with 100% Peruvian materials.

The closing of the show will be a tribute to Peruvian musical origins. With their performance on stage, Bareto promise to put a lot of flavor to the cold night of Lima, whit great musical hits such as “Mujer Hilandera”, “El abuelo”, “Quiero amanecer”, “No juegue con el diablo” and “Cariñito”, with which they will raise the temperature to the maximum level in the beloved Peruvian National Stadium.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony is once again in charge of the Italian Balich Worldwide Shows, one of the most recognized companies dedicated to the production of live shows, as it did with great success in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, as well as at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Tickets are on sale starting at PEN 20 and can be purchased at lima2019.pe/tickets and on the eleven authorized points of sale. There is a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

The start of the Parapan American Games will also mark the beginning of the second period of one of the most important and significant experiences that Lima 2019 has promoted in the social and educational fields: the “Soy Lima 2019” campaign.  

In its first period, all the emotion of Lima 2019 was introduced in 31 schools of Lima Metropolitan Area, seeking to promote—through different types of activations, socio-cultural shows and visits from the athletes and Para athletes—the Olympic and Paralympic values of the Games among the students.  

Now, in this second period, the schoolchildren will be able to visit the Lima 2019 venues to witness how these values are impersonated by the best Para athletes of the Americas.  

At the beginning, “Soy Lima 2019” benefited 31000 students between April and June. This time, the number of schools will increase because it will also include the people that already participated in the campaign of the Ministry of Education, through the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD), named “Top Peru at Schools” and the “Callao es Lima” campaign, organized by the Regional Government of Callao, which aimed to promote the sports and Para sports of these Games.  

Thus, a total of 57 schools will receive 35,140 tickets (22,121 tickets will be for competitions that take place during the day and 13,019 in the late-afternoon.) Additionally, the students will have to be accompanied by teachers, parents and/or people from the Regional Directorate of Education of Lima (DRELM) and the Regional Directorate of Education of Callao (DREC). To this end, coordination is being carried out with these bodies. 

It is expected that this initiative becomes a significant experience, that will make Paralympic values, such as courage and determination, the motor the lives of thousands of young Peruvians, reminding them that even when the path of their lives is too long, they have to set the finish line by themselves. 

The Lima 2019 celebration continues with the Parapan American Games and all the joy transmitted by Para athletes of the Americas during the competitions. This morning, Para table tennis starts the first day of women and men single competitions at the Sports Center 3 in VIDENA.

Around fifty children from Madre Admirable School in the district of El Agustino and members of “La Blanquirroja” cheered up the two Peruvians, who debuted in the morning session. Luis Traverso (class 3) and Jesús Yampufé (class 4) were defeated by their opponents, but they gave their best.  Both practice the Para sport on wheelchairs.

Peruvian Guillermo Yáñez (class 6) and Shirley Aguilar (class 4), both with physical impairments, will also begin their journey in the next few hours. In the second session of the day, the four Para athletes will compete for the second time against their corresponding groups.

The great attraction for the attendees was to see in action the current champions of the Games: Paulo Salmin (class 7), Aloísio Lima (class 1) and Luiz Manara (class 8) from Brazil.  They showed that they are the favorites after winning by three sets to zero against their opponents and giving their best on the table.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

The evening session starts at 16:00. You cannot miss these wonderful Para athletes. Tickets start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in ticket booths located at the gate 1 of VIDENA and in eleven authorized points of sale.

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

Photo Gallery (click here)

On this second route day, the Parapan American Torch continues uniting all the people of Lima, leaving a Paralympic celebration that will remain in the memory of the community.

The Parapan American flame began this exciting route at Óvalo Monitor in the district of Santiago de Surco. It was carried by medalist Kevin Martinez, who landed the gold in the discipline of Peruvian fronton in Basque pelota at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

The Peruvian athlete felt gratified to have been called as a torchbearer. He embodied the spirit of the Games through 400 meters, radiating the Paralympic values: equality, inspiration, courage and determination.

“It’s a privilege to carry the Parapan American Torch and leaves an important lesson for Peru. We must be proud of our Para athletes, who have wonderful stories of self-improvement that should serve as an example for all Peruvians,” he said effusively.

The participation of Victor Gil also stood out in this first leg. He is a person with an impairment, who has been dedicated to manufacturing wheelchairs for several decades. The relay runner remarked that this Para sports event, taking place for the first time in Peru, will leave a legacy to build an equal society with opportunities for all Peruvians.

“The Games will leave an inheritance not only limited to infrastructures, but also to the range of possibilities for people with an impairment, who are capable of everything to continue shaping the future of the country,” he expressed after crossing 200 meters.

On this second day, the flame has traveled through the districts of Santiago de Surco, La Molina, Ate, San Luis and La Victoria, where the Paralympic values have been rooted to build a better Peru.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus, and the Mayor of Miraflores, Luis Molina Arles participated in the closing of the first day of the Parapan American Torch Relay, to the rhythm of traditional Peruvian music in Parque Kennedy.

In this opportunity, Carlos Neuhaus highlighted the relevance of being host of the Parapan American Games and being able to embody the Paralympic values and share them with all of the Americas.

“The Games will leave a legacy represented by great Para athletes, who will teach us to live in a fairer and more equal society,” he said effusively.

On the other hand, he invited all citizens to visit the remodeled sports precincts where the most important Para athletes of the Americas will gather.

Also, the Mayor of Miraflores, Luis Molina Arles, praised the excellent work carried out by Lima 2019 to offer the best Para sports event of the continent. He also invited everyone to attend the Parapan American Games competitions and cheer on the Peru's delegation.

On its second day, the Parapan American Torch will keep illuminating the most emblematic streets of the capital city, spreading the Paralympic values and the spirit of the Games among the people.

The Parapan American torch will start its route at the Óvalo Monitor in Santiago de Surco. It will then go across Avenida Javier Prado until Avenida Circunvalación, to reach Canadá, Pardo de Zela and Petit Thouars avenues.

Afterwards, its Flame will shine through the Magic Water Circuit and head for the 28 de julio, Garcilaso de la Vega ,Paseo Colón, Paseo de Héroes Navales and Paseo de la República avenues.

The second section of the torch route will stop at Plaza San Martin and continue its journey through jirón Carabaya until the emblematic Plaza Mayor de Lima, visiting the Conde de Superunda street and Tacna and Gacilaso de la Vega (former Av. Wilson) avenues.

In this last section, the Parapan American caravan will take Uruguay, Venezuela, Arica and Tingo María avenues to head for the Plaza de la Bandera. There it will go across Sucre, La Marina, Universitaria and Mariano Cornejo avenues to finally reach the Huaca Mateo Salado.

This landmark is one of the most famous sanctuaries of Lima, where the Parapan American Flame will be received in a ceremony reuniting the people of Lima with the most outstanding of its historic and cultural heritage.

Five Para sports figures who will compete in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games participated in the first stretch of the torch route, which passed through the districts of Santiago de Surco, Surquillo and San Borja today.  

Para badminton players, Jesús Salvá and Pablo Cueto; Para taekwondo fighter, Carlos Navarro; and goalball representatives, Diana Flores and Jorge Pérez, walked—and in some cases ran—while leaving on the streets the sweat and excitement that, in just a few days, they will leave on the court.  

“I was very exciting to have been a Parapan American torchbearer. It’s nice to see everyone cheering you on and telling you that they’ll continue to support you in your sport so that you win a gold medal,” stated Salvá.  

At the same time, fellow badminton player Pablo Cueto was surprised by the number of people that came out to see the torch and torchbearers.  

“I wasn’t expecting so much enthusiasm from the crowd on the streets and I hope they go cheer all of us on. I’m very happy to have been a torchbearer; I’m very moved.”  

Similarly, Navarro highlighted the fact that so many people came out to support them and cheer them on, even though Para sports and their athletes are not very popular.  

“I wasn’t expecting so much support from the public because adapted sports are not very well known. I think that the Parapan American Games are a door that opens for people with an impairment that they may not be aware of and they may not know they have another opportunity to succeed. I think that’s what is most important, besides the medals.”  

Meanwhile, the Peruvian goalball representatives reflected on the effect of the torch relay and assured that it will not be temporary, it will leave a permanent mark on society in terms of respect towards people with impairments.  

“I think that people are becoming more aware. I see it in the district where I live and in other places. We’re an inspiration to many who know this is not easy. Now, we hope for everyone’s support in these Games,” stated Flores. 

“It was an honor to carry the torch. I represent the vast majority of people with visual impairment and that helps people with impairments know that they can play some kind of sport,” said Pérez.

The streets of the “City of Kings” were full of people dressed in red and white, as part of the first day of the Parapan American Torch relay, reflecting a feeling of brotherhood among people of Lima.  

On the first day, the Parapan American Flame toured the districts of Santiago de Surco, San Borja, Surquillo, Miraflores and Barranco. Each district celebrated and showed the most outstanding idiosyncrasy of Lima. 

It was an amazing itinerary of 53 kilometers across the districts, where neighbors tirelessly cheered on the torchbearers.  

Many fans tried to emulate the skill of an Olympic long-distance runner and joined some stretches of the Parapan American route. They waved the flags to the beat of songs like “Arriba Perú” or “Cómo no te voy a querer,” that provided a musical touch to the route, generating an atmosphere of joy that will leave a mark in the memory of Peruvians. 

In addition to the 120 torchbearers, it should be noted the presence of Giancarlos Cassasa, mayor of Surquillo, who joined the caravan of people during the Parapan American torch route across his district. The mayor emphasized that the Flame has enabled the promotion of Paralympic values through his district.  

“The Flame leaves us a message of unity and joy to all the neighbors, promoting the sport activity as a motor for the transformation of the community and to feel proud to be Peruvians, so let’s all play in Lima 2019!” 

In this sense, the residents of these five districts claimed their status as hosts, creating an atmosphere of fellowship and celebration to receive with enthusiasm the emblem of the biggest sports event in the Americas, which will leave as a legacy the foundations for a more inclusive society.

The venues of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games are being requested by the federations of different sports disciplines to host international competitions, informed Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.

“The Swimming Federation has already sent us a list of international championships as many people are interested in using this venue. Not only in swimming, but also in athletics and other sports,” Neuhaus said, after mentioning that they could take place over this year and next.

He assured that the construction of the VIDENA Aquatic Center has all the conditions approved for international events. 

“We built the swimming pool at the VIDENA and it’s already a hub, which was used regularly for the swimming competitions at the Parapan American Games and will remain as a legacy not only for high-level competitions, but also for the creation of academies so children and adults can participate,” he added.

He reaffirmed that no sports infrastructure will be privatized, and that there is a possibility of bring experts in sports venue management in order to optimize the use of these venues.

Parapan American Games
Neuhaus said that the days before the start of the Parapan American Games are very intense because they are the greatest challenge of this sporting event to be held in our country.

“While it’s true that the Pan American Games received extensive media coverage and were very eye-catching, the Parapan American Games are much more important to us because they involve people who had problems perhaps at birth or in life and who have overcome many obstacles,” he stated.

The president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee spoke at the Sustainable Development Business Forum, where he summarized the development of the Pan American Games and the start of the Parapan American Games.
 
“We finally met our goal as a country in two years and 10 months, against all odds,” said Carlos Neuhaus, who, at the end, received a standing ovation from the audience.

Photo Gallery (click here)

And so, it begins. The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions will start tomorrow with Para table tennis matches, gathering 127 of the best Para table tennis players of the Americas. The competition will take place at the Sports Center 3 of the National Sports Village (VIDENA), located in San Luis.

The competition will be divided in two sessions, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00, and day before the opening ceremony. Peru will be represented by four athletes: Shirley Aguilar, Luis Alberto Traverso, Jesús Yampufe and Guillermo Yáñez.

Spectators can enter the venue through gates 1 and 2 of the Sports Center 3 of VIDENA (Av. San Luis). It is advised to arrive early to locate your places calmly and orderly.

Recommendations

The Lima 2019 organization recommends spectators to observe security and precaution rules to experience competitions in the best possible way.

• All spectators, even babies, must carry their tickets.
• Bottles, glass containers, unprocessed food, alcoholic beverages or pets are not allowed. 

• Go to the competition venues ahead of time to avoid crowds at the entrances.
• Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 
• If you are going accompanied by a person with an impairment, or who has some difficulty getting around, locate the special entrance zones or, ask for help from the Lima 2019 volunteers, who will be duly identified in all the competition venues.

During competitions:

• Do not throw objects to the competition track.
• Do not throw water to athletes in road competitions such as triathlon, race walk, among others.
• Do not interfere with the circuit in outside sports such as road cycling.
• When judges ask for silence, keep quiet. Remember that some disciplines, such as tennis or rhythmic gymnastics, need extreme concentration for its execution.

The Parapan American Games

In this Parapan American Games, 1890 athletes from 33 countries will be participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women). The Peruvian delegation will participate with 139 Para athletes in 16 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 give quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).