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).

Alexandra Grande, two-time Pan American champion in karate, wanted to meet Angélica Espinoza, taekwondo athlete at the Parapan American Games and Peruvian delegation flag bearer.

This encounter took place at the Peruvian Olympic Committee Gym in VIDENA. Alexandra arrived and met a shy Angelica, who was surprised by the visit. “I feel proud and happy that you have been chosen as the flag bearer,” said Alexandra to Angélica.

“It’s really nice to see athletes approaching us; this doesn’t happen very often, and I know Alexandra is a great champion, so I really appreciate her words,” declared Angélica. She expressed pride for having been chosen as the Peruvian delegation flag bearer and represent its 139 athletes.

Alexandra invited everyone to support the Para athletes, because this sports event is not over. “Let people rest their throats, so they can go to the Opening Ceremony and support the athletes, because we need everyone’s support. We’re giving the post to them. Now I’m just another fan and I’d love to see a full coliseum, just like when I competed,” she highlighted.

The outstanding karate athlete, who also confirmed that she will be carrying the Parapan American Torch, did not hesitate to put on the uniform and challenge Angélica. They took pictures together with Milco, the official Parapan American Games mascot.

She was also very supportive. “We are at home and we must take advantage of the support we receive. I told Angélica to have fun and show everyone that she is the best and sweep all of her rivals,” said Alexandra with a laugh.

Para taekwondo events will be held at the Callao Sports Center on August 30 and 31. “It would be great to have the support and warmth of all Peruvians,” said Angélica.

At the end of this encounter, Alexandra and Angélica invited everyone to the Parapan American Games, which will start on August 23, by shouting “Arriba Perú” (Let’s go Peru) and “Let’s all play!”  

Get your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets or at any authorized point of sale. Prices start at PEN 20 for ceremonies and PEN 10 for competitions. Remember there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

Lima 2019 will award clay cuchimilcos to all gold, silver and bronze medals winners for their victory in the event. 

Just like the Peruvian marathoner, Gladys Tejeda and the Ecuadorian runner, Alex Quiñones, the Parapan American Games winners will also receive cuchimilcos. 

The figurines portrait the Chancay pre-Hispanic culture. The welcoming open arms served as inspiration for Milco., the Games official mascot.  

Master craftsman from Ayacucho, Edwin Huasacca Condori and his five brothers manufactured 5390 figurines, which emulate the cuchimilco statuettes, for the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games. 

“We’re very pleased, proud and happy to see our craft in the winners’ hands, the great athletes. It’s such a great honor to win a medal and have a cuchimilco in your hand,” said the artisan.  

He explained that for the process of making the red clay statuettes they used geometrical designs inspired by nature, such as the waves and trees tattooed on its legs, and the champion band on the forehead.  

“We keep the Peruvian art, tradition and culture alive. This is an incredible legacy we carry in our hearts and our hands,” he assured.  

It should be noted that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games are from August 23 to September 1 with 33 countries in the run. The Peruvian delegation has 139 athletes in the Parapan American Games and they will compete in 17 of the sport disciplines. 

Delegations from all the Americas will start arriving in Peru to participate in the Parapan American Games, to be held for the first time in our country, after the successful delivery of the Pan American Games, considered the best Games in history.

To repeat this success, Lima 2019 is already prepared to host the best competitions at the best stages, that also hosted the Pan American Games. For this, the Parapan American Games competitions will start one day before the opening ceremony, on August 22.

Para table tennis will be the sport opening the competitions, at the modern Sports Center 3, especially built for Lima 2019. The best 127 players of the Americas will participate in this competition. The matches of August 22 will be divided into two shifts from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00.

Peru will be represented by four athletes: Shirley Aguilar, Luis Alberto Traversso, Jesús Yampufe and Guillermo Yáñez.

LIMA 2019 TICKET SALES

To attend the competitions, such as Para table tennis, 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 established 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.

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.

Lima 2019 has become a way of strengthening close relations between the Peruvian State and our athletes. This time, for of the beginning of the Parapan American Games, the President of Peru Martin Vizcarra received the Peruvian delegation at the Government Palace and gave the national standard to the flag bearer Angelica Espinoza, to bear it at the opening ceremony on August 23. 

 Vizcarra highlighted the determination and the courage of Para athletes, that have been training for several years to stand out in the most important multi-sport event of the Americas. The Lima 2019 infrastructure investment will be the starting point for the optimization of sport structure. 

“We are proud to receive you at the house of all Peruvians to give you a symbol of our country that we know you will defend with honor. You have proven that with effort, any challenge is possible, and all Peruvians have learned it. Lima 2019 has taught us about the importance of the practice of sport for our children, and its example is most valuable,” added the President.  

The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee Carlos Neuhaus, the head of the National Paralympic Association of Peru Lucha Villar, the Chef de Mission of the Parapan American delegation Jose Gonzales Muguburu, and the President of the Peruvian Institute of Sports Sebastian Suito also attended the ceremony. 

Additionally, the flag bearer Angelica Espinoza was thankful for this important distinction. “I would like to thank God for this opportunity. “I’m proud to represent all Peruvian people with impairments. We will not let anything, nor anyone hold us back in bringing happiness to our fellow Peruvians,” she added. 

LIMA 2019 HISTORICAL DELEGATION 

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the biggest delegation so far in this kind of continental competitions. In addition, Peru will participate in 16 disciplines. The disciplines having most representatives are sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, with 24 athletes each (12 for the men’s team and 12 for the women’s team.)  

Furthermore, there will be Para athletes participating in boccia (4), 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). 

Bareto, the famous Peruvian band of alternative tropical music, nominated twice for the Latin Grammy, will be one of the main attractions of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony, to be held on August 23 at 19:00, at the National Stadium. 

To confirm that Peruvians are the “best fans” and the best hosts of the Americas, Bareto invited spectators to keep celebrating this continental competition through a video posted on the Lima 2019 social media. 

“This Friday, August 23, we will be at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony. Let’s all experience the excitement of being the best fans and hosts of the Americas. We’re really happy to be part of the multi-sports celebration that will unite our country and the Americas. Let's all play and let’s keep celebrating Lima 2019,” they added. 

Bareto is one of the most famous Peruvian bands in recent times, bringing to the world their unique fusion of cumbia, ska, reggae, rock and merengue rhythms. In 2015 Bareto released “Impredecible”, an album of original material produced by the Colombian Felipe Alvarez and edited for the USA and Europe by World Village, and for Latin America by Polen Records.  

The Peruvian delegation paraded at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games on July 26 at the Jose Díaz stadium, accompanied by Bareto’s song “Cariñito,” that made the stands dance that day. 

Bareto was also part of Culturaymi, the cultural program of the Games at the Parque de la Exposición, where the crowd went mad with songs such as “Ya se ha muerto mi abuelo,” “Mujer hilandera,” “Elsa,” among others, sung by the audience that really lost its mind with “Cariñito,” the song turned into Bareto's anthem. 

Lima 2019 has mobilized Peruvians in a way never seen before and the Organizing Committee continues its work to deliver the best Parapan American Games in history. In addition, the Games will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and acknowledging the effort of Peruvian Para athletes. 

LET’S BUY TICKETS 

To remain part of this huge sports event and enjoy an unforgettable show, buy your tickets atlima2019.pe/tickets and on authorized points of sale. Ticket price starts at PEN 20 (opening and closing ceremonies) and PEN 10 (competitions). There will be a 50% discount for minors under 18 years of age, senior citizens and people with an impairment.  

The amazing opening ceremony at the National Stadium will be the responsibility, again, of the prestigious Italian company Balich Worldwide Shows, that delivered the Lima 2019 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies, and the ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

There will be 1890 athletes from 30 countries participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. The biggest worldwide sport stars, like the US delegation, arriving in Peru with 67 Paralympic medalists. 

The competition Venues are the National Sports Village (VIDENA), Callao Sports Center, Miguel Grau Coliseum, Andrés Avelino Cáceres Sports Center in Villa María del Triunfo, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Costa Verde in San Miguel, Lawn Tennis and Las Palmas Air Base Shooting Range. 

The Peruvian delegation will have 139 para athletes, the biggest in Peruvian history, because in the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games there were only 16 athletes. 

With the success of the Pan American Games still in our memory, Peru is getting ready to be part of a wonderful and unforgettable experience: the sixth edition of the Parapan American Games to be held in our country, starting on August 23. 

Our country will receive 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, including Peru, that will compete in this multi-sports event where athletes with physical, intellectual or visual impairments, among other impairments, will participate.  

Our country will make a big step toward universal accessibility, as Lima 2019 is preparing to receive the Para athletes at the Parapan American Village at Villa El Salvador, where they will be housed, and at several sports venues, where they will be seen in action. 

Wilhelm Funcke, projects and infrastructure manager of Lima 2019 visited the Parapan American Village to supervise the preparations for the arrival of Para athletes and technical officials. “We are making the finishing touches to the overlay infrastructure at the Parapan American Village and sports venues. The final infrastructure has all accesses completed, ramps, signage, tactile walking indicators and accessible bathrooms for people with motor impairments. I’m sure we are going to deliver completely accessible Parapan American Games,” Funcke added. 

All the people coming to the Parapan American Games will be housed between the 1st to 12th floor of the Village, where they will have all amenities. “We have four accessible room groups for people with motor impairment, with wide hallways, big bathrooms with enough space for an accompanying person, braille language, and emergency lights. We are meeting all requirements to give all amenities to Para athletes,” he said. 

Funcke stated that the Village was built to allow “transit without the use of stairs, especially for wheelchairs. That was possible thanks to the para athletes’ advice. We are adding some ramps that were missing for the perfect transit in wheelchairs. Although they are part of the overlay infrastructure.” 

“WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE THE PARA ATHLETES” 

Wilhelm Funcke said that during the transition period from the Pan American to the Parapan American Games “a few adjustments at the venues” are being made. “Venues have universal accessibility anyway, which was include in the project’s planning since the very beginning,” he said. 

The Lima 2019 Director pointed out that the organization is prepared for the Parapan American Games. “As we were ready for the Pan American Games, we are ready to deliver the Parapan Americans Games and to receive the best Para athletes of the Americas. We hope to have the same incredible success we had with the Pan American Games,” Funcke emphasized.   

ACCESSIBLE VILLAGE 

The Parapan American Village is the first accessible residential complex in Lima. The building has 336 accessible apartments. Its design was conceived to offer accessible facilities throughout all the complex.  

This can mostly be seen in the distribution of accessible apartments for wheelchair users, the provision of accessible toilets for wheelchair users, accessible furniture and urban equipment, as well as tactile paving for people with visual impairment. 

Lima 2019 will leave a legacy of new sport infrastructure, designed under international standards of accessibility, never seen before in our country. This infrastructure will guarantee the development of sport competitions at the highest level in accessible environments and facilities. This will benefit of the Paralympic Movement and Para athletes who did not have adequate facilities to train and compete. 

There are 1096 apartments: 548 of them of 70 m2, 212 of 73 m2 and 336 of 75 m2. These last apartments have been modified to be accessible for people with impairments. 

Each building at the Village has four elevators with capacity for 18 people and wheelchair access. The Village has tactile tiles in pedestrian areas and bike lanes to ease the transit of athletes with visual impairment to their accommodation buildings. 

Braille signage was installed in all stories of the buildings. This “universal language” warns and informs people about the transit and necessary measures in case of an event endangering an athlete with visual impairment.  

This system was also installed in the elevator buttons, which are located at the sides of each building. These buildings also have wide inner corridors and 28 elevators to facilitate the transit of people with motor impairment who have to move around in a wheelchair. 

Her name was kept secret. Attendees to the Peruvian delegation presentation ceremony wondered the name of the athlete chosen. Some minutes before the official designation, her name was displayed on the room.

Later, it was confirmed that Angélica Espinoza would be honored to bear the Peruvian flag during the Parapan American Games opening ceremony on August 23 at the National Stadium.

“I didn’t expect this. I think I was the only one who didn’t know this, but I’m pretty excited to have been designated. It’s a great responsibility but also a chance to represent all the Peruvian national teams,” said Angélica, who was awarded as the stand-out Para Athlete in 2017, with only 19 years.

The whole Peruvian delegation filled the room with applause after hearing her name, and more than one asked her a picture. “We’re the biggest Peruvian team in the history of the Parapan American Games. And I hope that this encourage more people to support us. We want to prove that we can also practice sports,” added the para athlete who will participate in the under 49 kg category.

Angélica won important competitions such as the Pan American Para Taekwondo Championships held in Costa Rica and the World Para Taekwondo Championships held in London (both in 2017.) Also, in the USA she was awarded silver medals (2018) and a bronze medal in June during a competition contested in Portland.  Her participation was remarkable in the 2019 World Para Taekwondo Championships in Turkey, where she advanced to the quarterfinals.

Less than one week to the start of the Parapan American Games, Angélica’s aim is clear: the medal. “My main objective is not only to have an outstanding participation and represent Peru but make it to the highest of the podium,” she added.

The competition venues during the Pan American Games were crowded, and the new flag bearer called the fans: “We need the support of all Peruvian fans to feel at home and collect many medals,” she said.